American and British English: cars
Auch innerhalb der englischen Sprache können Menschen aus verschiedenen Ländern einander missverstehen. So richtig verwirrend wird es aber erst, wenn man selbst Englisch lernen möchte. Das liegt zum Teil daran, dass im britischen und amerikanischen Englisch verschiedene Wörter für die gleiche Bedeutung im Deutschen benutzt werden. Hier einige Beispiele aus dem Bereich Straßenverkehr.
By Moya Irvine
In The Canterville Ghost (1887), Oscar Wilde wrote: “We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.” Differences between British and American English are often exaggerated like this. In fact, most British people understand American English, and most Americans (perhaps slightly fewer) understand British English. However, some topics seem to have more differences than others. The word field “cars and roads” is a good example. Here is a list of American and British English terms relating to cars and roads. After you’ve read the post, there’s an exercise so you can practise your American English.
British English American English German
articulated lorry semi truck Sattelschlepper
bonnet hood Motorhaube
boot trunk Kofferraum
breakdown van tow truck Abschleppwagen
car car, auto, automobile Auto
car park parking lot Parkplatz
driving licence driver’s license Führerschein
flyover overpass Überführung
gear lever/stick gear shift Schalthebel
indicator blinker, turn signal Blinklicht
motorway freeway, expressway Autobahn
number plate license plate Nummernschild
pavement sidewalk Gehweg
pedestrian crossing crosswalk Fußgängerüberweg
petrol gas Benzin
to put your foot down to step on the gas Gas geben
roundabout traffic circle Kreisverkehr
tyre tire Reifen
windscreen windshield Windschutzscheibe
Replace the British English words with American English.
1. The __________ (windscreen) is so dirty you can hardly see out of it.
2. There isn’t enough room in the _________ (boot) for all these bags.
3. The café had put some tables outside on the _________ (pavement) for the smokers.
4. This supermarket has a bigger __________ (car park) than the one in town.
5. There might be something wrong with the engine, so I’ll open the __________ (bonnet) and have a look.
6. I can’t fix this, so we’ll have to call a __________ (breakdown van).
7. I nearly caused an accident because I forgot to use the __________ (indicator) when I turned right.
8. Some people pay extra for personalised __________ (number plates).
9. If you apply for this job, you must have a __________ (driving licence).
10. We should be there in an hour if we take the _________ (motorway).
11. Although it was Saturday, there were a lot of __________ (articulated lorries) on the road.
12. Children should always use a __________ (pedestrian crossing) when they cross a busy road.
13. We need to stop at the next __________ (petrol) station.
14. If I __________ (put my foot down) we should get to the airport on time.
15. Turn left, then left again at the__________ (roundabout).
16. The car needs some new __________ (tyres) before we go on holiday.
17. European drivers can find it hard to get used to having the __________ (gear lever) on the other side in a British car.
18. I’m going to be home late: there’s a traffic jam on the __________ (flyover) again.
Answers
1. The windshield is so dirty you can hardly see out of it.
2. There isn’t enough room in the trunk for all these bags.
3. The café had put some tables outside on the sidewalk for the smokers.
4. This supermarket has a bigger parking lot than the one in town.
5. There might be something wrong with the engine, so I’ll open the hood and have a look.
6. I can’t fix this, so we’ll have to call a tow truck.
7. I nearly caused an accident because I forgot to use the turn signal/blinker when I turned right.
8. Some people pay extra for personalised license plates.
9. If you apply for this job, you must have a driver’s license.
10. We should be there in an hour if we take the freeway/expressway.
11. Although it was Saturday, there were a lot of semi trucks on the road.
12. Children should always use a crosswalk when they cross a busy road.
13. We need to stop at the next gas station.
14. If I step on the gas we should get to the airport on time.
15. Turn left, and then left again at the traffic circle.
16. The car needs some new tires before we go on holiday.
17. European drivers can find it hard to get used to having the gear shift on the other side in a British car.
18. I’m going to be home late: there’s a traffic jam on the overpass again.
A Chevrolet Corvette is on display at Pomona’s antique automobile market on August 16, 2009. | Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
