Aksara
Vol 37, No 2 (2025): AKSARA, EDISI DESEMBER 2025

Variasi Linguistik Perbedaan American English dan British dalam Komunikasi Sehari-hari

Sofa, Mutiara (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Dec 2025

Abstract

English plays an essential role as a global lingua franca; however, linguistic variations within the language, particularly between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE), often create challenges in cross-cultural communication. This research aims to identify and analyze the main differences between AmE and BrE that appear in everyday communication, as well as examine their implications for comprehension and interaction among speakers from different language backgrounds. The focus of the study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the most influential aspects, including phonology, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling, so that it may serve as a useful reference for English learners and international communication practitioners. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques consisting of library research and observation of language use through authentic spoken and written examples obtained from media, informal conversations, and digital platforms. The data were analyzed using content analysis, emphasizing the processes of identifying, categorizing, and interpreting linguistic differences in both language varieties. The results show that there are significant variations in vocabulary, such as “apartment” (AmE) and “flat” (BrE), differences in spelling like “color” (AmE) and “colour” (BrE), as well as vowel pronunciation variations that may influence message comprehension in spoken communication. Additionally, differences in grammatical structures and the use of tenses were found to be potential factors that lead to ambiguity among learners or speakers of different dialects. Based on these findings, the study highlights that increasing awareness and adaptive communication skills toward linguistic variations is necessary to ensure effective interaction and minimize misunderstandings in global contexts. This research contributes to the development of English language teaching that is more responsive to the diversity of language use on an international scale. AbstrakBahasa Inggris memiliki peran penting sebagai lingua franca dalam komunikasi global, namun variasi linguistik yang terdapat di dalamnya, khususnya antara American English (AmE) dan British English (BrE), seringkali menimbulkan tantangan dalam komunikasi lintas budaya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi dan menganalisis perbedaan utama antara AmE dan BrE yang muncul dalam komunikasi sehari-hari, serta mengkaji implikasinya terhadap pemahaman dan interaksi antar penutur dengan latar belakang berbeda. Fokus penelitian diarahkan untuk memberikan pemahaman komprehensif mengenai aspek yang paling berpengaruh, meliputi fonologi, kosakata, tata bahasa, dan ejaan, sehingga dapat menjadi rujukan bagi pembelajar bahasa Inggris maupun praktisi komunikasi internasional. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa studi pustaka (library research) dan observasi penggunaan bahasa melalui dokumentasi contoh-contoh ujaran dan teks autentik yang bersumber dari media, percakapan informal, serta platform digital. Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis isi (content analysis) yang menekankan pada proses identifikasi, kategorisasi, serta interpretasi perbedaan linguistik dalam kedua variasi bahasa tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat variasi signifikan dalam kosakata, seperti penggunaan kata “apartment” (AmE) dan “flat” (BrE), perbedaan ejaan seperti “color” (AmE) dan “colour” (BrE), serta variasi pengucapan vokal yang dapat mempengaruhi pemahaman pesan dalam komunikasi lisan. Selain itu, perbedaan pada struktur gramatikal dan penggunaan bentuk waktu juga ditemukan menjadi faktor yang berpotensi menimbulkan ambiguitas bagi pembelajar maupun penutur antar dialek. Berdasarkan temuan tersebut, penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa peningkatan kesadaran dan kemampuan adaptasi terhadap variasi linguistik sangat diperlukan agar komunikasi dalam konteks internasional dapat berlangsung efektif dan minim kesalahpahaman. Penelitian ini berkontribusi dalam pengembangan pembelajaran bahasa Inggris yang lebih responsif terhadap keragaman penggunaan bahasa di tingkat global.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

aksara

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Aksara is a journal that publishes results of literary studies researches, either Indonesian, local, or foreign literature. All articles in Aksara have passed the reviewing process by peer reviewers and edited by editors. Aksara is published by Balai Bahasa Bali twice a year, June and December. ...