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Synopsis: Thomas and Friends "James Goes Too Far"

Demographics of native speaker

Video sample

Speech transcriptions

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History of English in the United kingdom

History of English in Hertfordshire,England

History of English in the United States

History of English in Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

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Phonemic Variation

Prosodic Variation

Lexical Variation

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Hi and assalamualaikum, if you see the right person in the picture, that’s me, I'm Risya Nabila Binti Syaifullah and on the left is my partner, Nurul Anis Alieya Binti Nordin. Welcome to our e-portfolio on global english! Through this project, we aim to explore the fascinating diversity of English as spoken by native speakers across different regions. Join us as we analyze and compare how English sounds, looks, and is structured in two distinct parts of the world!

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Thomas & Friends (season, episode “James Goes Too Far”). 

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For this project, we selected a short scene from Thomas & Friends (season, episode “James Goes Too Far”). We compared two versions of the same clip one in British English (UK) and the other in American English (US).

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Our primary focus was on the speech of the character Sir Topham Hatt.

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We conducted an auditory analysis and performed IPA transcription to identify and explain the variations.

Tools used in this study include:

Youtube(video source)

IPA transcription tools

Google Docs and Padlet (for documentation and presentation)

Google and Google Scholar (for research and reference collection)

Capcut (for video editing)

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Thomas & Friends episode “James Goes Too Far”,

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Synopsis: Thomas and Friends "James Goes Too Far "

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Synopsis: Thomas and Friends "James Goes Too Far "

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In the Thomas & Friends episode “James Goes Too Far”, James becomes jealous when Percy’s mail train gets priority over his goods train. This leads him to become self centered and boastful. He then gets an important job delivering coal but fails to help Edward, who is struggling. He ignores the others who need help and takes too much pride in prioritising his own task. At the end, he realizes his mistake when he runs out of water and needs to be helped by Salty.

For this project, we focus specifically on the character Sir Topham Hatt, who appears in both the UK and US versions of the episode. We analyze his speech to explore the phonological and lexical differences between British English and American English. The voice of Sir Topham Hatt in the UK version is performed by Keith Wickham, while the US version features Kerry Shale. These samples allow us to observe how english varies naturally across regions,even within the same scripted scene

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UK version (British English)

Speaker: Sir Topham Hatt (original uk version)

Voice actor: Keith Wickham

Nationality: British (United Kingdom)

Accent: British English (received pronunciation) with a slight northern english influence (liverpool-based actor)

County: Hertfordshire,England

English variety: British English

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UK version

You must take coal to all the stations on the island. If the fires in the waiting rooms go out,then, the passengers will get cold and complain. It is a very important job

IPA transcription (received pronunciation):

/juː mʌst teɪk kəʊl tuː ɔːl ðə ˈsteɪʃᵊnz ɒn ði ˈaɪ.lənd | ɪf ðə faɪəz ɪn ðəˈweɪ.tɪŋ ruːmz ɡəʊ aʊt |, ðɛn ðə ˈpæs.ən.dʒəz wɪl ɡɛt kəʊld ænd kəmˈpleɪn. ɪt ɪz ə ˈvɛri ɪmˈpɔːtᵊnt ʤɒb

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US version (American English dub)

Speaker: Sir Topham Hatt (dubbed us version)

Voice actor:Kerry Shale

Nationality: Canadian (born in Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

Accent: General American

Country: United States

Variety: American English

Disclaimer: Although he was born in Winniepeg, he adopts American accent in the film to match the character and intended audience.

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US version

You must take coal to all the stations on the island. If the fires in the waiting rooms go out,then, the passengers will get cold and complain. It is a very important job

IPA transcription (general american)

ju mʌst teɪk koʊl tu ɔl ðə ˈsteɪʃənz ɑn ði ˈaɪlənd. ɪf ðə ˈfaɪərz ɪn ˈweɪtɪŋ rumz ɡoʊ aʊt, ðɛn ðə ˈpæsənʤərz wɪl ɡɛt koʊld ænd kəmˈpleɪn. ɪt ɪz ə ˈvɛri ɪmˈpɔrtənt ʤɑb

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1. Colonial English (1600s-1700s)

English came to North America with settlers, especially from England in the early 1600s. Settlers brought various English dialects such as West Country, East Anglia which influenced regional speech. English in America absorbed words from Native American languages.

2. Revolutionary Era and Early Independence (late 1700s-1800s)

Post-Revolution, American English began to diverge from British English, partly for national identity. Webster’s dictionaries (1806,1828) simplified spellings such as color vs colour, center vs centre and helped standardize “American English”.

3. 19th Century Expansion

Westward expansion brought English into contact with Spanish, French, and Native American languages and large influxes of Irish, German, Italian and other immigrants enriched American vocabulary and accents.

4. 20th Century to Present

American English spread worldwide through media, business, science, and technology.

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History of English in Hertfordshire, England

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History of English in Hertfordshire, England

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1. Pre-English Period (Pre-5th Century)

Before English was spoken, Celtic languages were prevalent in the area.

Hertfordshire was part of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni tribal territories, speaking Brittonic, a Celtic language.

Roman occupation (43-410 AD) introduced Latin, mainly for administration and trade, but it did not replace native languages.

2. Old English Period (5th-11th Century

Following the Roman withdrawal, Anglo-Saxon settlers, likely Angles and Saxons, arrived. They brought Old English, which gradually replaced Celtic languages.

Hertfordshire is located near the borders of the kingdoms of Mercia and Essex, both of which influenced the local dialect.

3. Middle English Period (11th-15th Century)

The Norman Conquest (1066) introduced French-speaking elites. French and Latin became dominant in government, law, and education, but Middle English evolved among common people.

English in Hertfordshire absorbed French vocabulary and began showing grammatical simplification.

Proximity to London brought linguistic influence from the growing London dialect, which was becoming standard.

4. Early Modern English (15th-17th Century)

The printing press (1476) helped standardize English spelling and grammar.

Writers like Shakespeare and King James Bible (1611) popularized the London-based dialect. Hertfordshire adopted these standards quickly because it is close to London. Literacy expanded, and English spread through schools and religious institutions.

5. Modern English Period (18th Century-Present)

English became the dominant language of all institutions. The Industrial Revolution and improved transport like railways connected to Hertfordshire even more to London.

The 20th century saw migration from other parts of the UK and Commonwealth, adding new vocabulary and accents.

6. Present-Day Hertfordshire English

Today, Hertfordshire is linguistically part of the Home Counties, with a generally non-rhotic, Southern English accent.

Estuary English which is a blend of Received Pronunciation and London working-class speech is increasingly common but in more rural parts, some older, conservative Southern English features remain.

The county is also diverse, with multilingual communities contributing to regional variation.

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Definition

phonemic variation refers to differences in  pronunciation of the same phoneme based on factors like region, accent, social background, or context. Despite the differences in pronunciations, the meaning of the word remains the same.These include variations in vowels, consonants (like rhoticity), diphthongs, and features like t-flapping or glottal stops. According to Cruttenden (2014, as cited in Nordquist, 2020) gave an example of phonemic variation that can be observed in the pronunciation of the word “cat”. In some accents, the final/t/ sound is pronounced clearly and sharply, while in other, it may softer or even more airy.

Categories of variation:

1. Vowel diphthongs variation

example : “coal”

UK (rp): /kəʊl/

US (ga):/koʊl/

Explanation:

RP uses the centering diphthong /əʊ/, which glides from a mid- central vowel to a high back vowel. GA uses /oʊ/, which starts higher and more back. The variation exists because historical vowel shift (British English) retained a more conservative diphthong, while American English evolved toward a more monophthongal sounding diphthong in casual speech.

Why is it different?

In GA, many diphthongs are shortened and rounded, contributing to the more laid back sound of American english. RP maintains a clearer glide to show distinction between vowel sounds.

2. Rhoticity

example:”fire”, “passengers”

UK (rp): non rhotic - / faɪəz/, /ˈpæsɪndʒəz /

US (ga): rhotic - /’faɪərz/, /ˈpæsənʤərz/

Explanation

In non-rhotic accents like rp,the /r/ is only pronounced if it’s followed by a vowel. In rhotic accents like ga, the /r/ is pronounced in all positions.

Why is it different?

Rhoticity in American English was preserved due to less contact with French and other european languages, while British english, especially in the south,was influenced by prestigious non rhotic speech. Rhotic speech in the US is also seen as more neutral and mainstream, while in the uk, non rhoticity is associated with formality and standard prestige.

3. T-flapping

example: “important”

UK (rp): /ɪmˈpɔːtᵊnt/

US (ga): /ɪmˈpɔrtənt/

Explanation

T- flapping occurs when a /t/ sound between two vowel sounds is pronounced like a soft /d/ or flap {r}, common in casual american english.

Why is it different?

In American English, this is a result of a process called lenition,where consonants become weaker or softer. British English retains the crisp /t/ to reflect more careful articulation, especially in rp, which emphasizes clarity and formality.

4. Long vowel articulation

example: “take”

UK (rp): /teɪk/

US (ga): /teɪk/ (slightly shorter)

Explanation

While the phoneme is technically the same, rp tends to produce longer and more tense vowels compared to ga, which can be slightly shorter or more centralized depending on speech context.

Why is it different?

Rp values vowel length as a distinguishing factor between words, especially in formal settings, ga on the other hand, tends to neutralize vowel tension, especially in unstressed syllables, leading to a more relaxed sound overall.

5. Consonant clarity

example: “stations”, “fires”

UK (rp): clear consonant articulation, no glottal stop or flapping

US (ga): may features softer articulation or even assimilation in fast speech

Explanation

Rp emphasizes articulatory precision, especially in consonants, american english often allows simplification or merging of consonant sounds, especially in rapid or informal speech.

Why is it different?

Rp, being a prestige accent, prioritizes enunciation. In contrast, ga reflects spoken realism, where efficiency and rhythm take precedence over clarity.

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Definition

Prosodic variation refers to the changes in the way we use our voice in speech to add meaning,emotion and clarify to what we say. The features includes are pitch, stress, rhythm, pause, intonation, tone, accent, and loudness variation.

Categories of prosodic features:

1. Pitch range

i) British (keith wickham)

Wide pitch range-noticeable rise and fall in tone.

Used to convey emotion, urgency, and authority.

Example: in a line “you must take coal to the station”, the word "must" is often delivered with a higher pitch,emphasizing obligation.

Why? Rp-trained voice actors often exaggerate pitch to sound more dramatic and engaging, especially for children’s media

ii) American (kerry shale)

Flatter pitch range-more level delivery overall.

Sounds more neutral and less theatrical.

Why? General american speech tends to be more reserved in pitch movement, emphasizing clarity and practicality.

2. Stress patterns

i) British English

Clear stressed and unstressed syllables: “you must take coal to the station”.

Stresses key words for emphasis (e.g., you,take,coal).

Why? Rp often places stress for dramatic impact and rhythm.

ii) American English

Also stresses timed, but stress is more subtle and less rhythmic.

Still stresses important words but may glide over function words more quickly.

3. Rhythm

i) British English

Balanced, rhythmic pacing-alternates stressed and unstressed syllables more clearly.

Contributes to the musical or storytelling style.

Why? Rp speakers tend to maintain a storytelling rhythm ideal for narration.

ii) American English

Faster rhythm,smoother delivery.

Less dramatic pause between stressed units

Why? American english prioritizes flow and efficiency in speech.

4. Intonation pattern

i) British English

Rising falling intonation (e.g. statements often go down,while questions rise)

Adds drama and clarity to sentence mood

Often rises mid sentence and falls at the end, especially in commands or warnings

ii) American English

More natural intonation, with gentle falls of flat endings

Reflects a practical and calm tone, even in direct commands.

5. Pausing

i) British English

Strategic pauses-used to build tension or highlight important information

Example: pause before “must” in “You….must take coal”

Why? Emphasizes narrative control and audience engagement

ii) American English

Fewer pauses, with faster transitions

Keeps the tempo high and efficient

Why? American delivery often avoids dramatic pauses for a smoother flow.

6. Tone and attitude

i) British English

Tone is more authoritative, expressive or dramatic

Fits the traditional storytelling style of british children’s shows.

ii) American English

Tone is more direct,efficient, and less emotional

Feels more like giving instructions or moving the story forward quickly.

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1. Old English (c. 450-110)

English began with the arrival of Anglo-Saxon tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) from present-day Germany and Denmark after the Roman withdrawal from Britain.

Old English was a Germanic language influenced by Norse due to later Viking invasions.

2. Middle English (c.1100-1500)

Norman Conquest (1066): William the Conqueror's victory brought Norman French to the English court, law, and government. English absorbed thousands of French

words and grammar began to simplify.

3.  Early Modern English (c.1500-1700)

Printing Press (1476): Introduced by William Caxton, it helped standardize English. Latin and Greek words entered the language.

4.  Modern English (1700- present)

The British Empire spread English worldwide, introducing new vocabulary from many languages.

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Risya Nabila Binti Syaifullah (2024631064)

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Nurul Anis Alieya Binti Nordin (2024645198)

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History of English in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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History of English in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

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1. Pre-Colonial Period (Before 1700s)

The region now known as Winnipeg was inhabited by Indigenous peoples such as Cree, Ojibwe (Anishinaabe), Dakota, and Métis. So, Indigenous languages were spoken.

No English was present until European contact.

2. Fur Trade Era (1600s-1800s)

English entered the region via the Hudson’s Bay Company, established in 1670.

British fur traders and settlers used Early Modern English.

Winnipeg became a cultural crossroads, where English, French, and Indigenous languages interacted.

3. Settlement and Confederation ( 1870-1900)

Manitoba became a province in 1870, Winnipeg rapidly grew due to railways and immigration.

English became dominant in government, education,and business.

Immigrants from Britain, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere brought diverse accents and influenced local English.

English education policies marginalized Indigenous and other non-English languages.

4. 20th Century: Urbanization and Language Standardization

English in Winnipeg aligned with Standard Canadian English, a form of English shaped by British roots and American influence.

The school system enforced English as the primary language of instruction.

English-speaking media strengthened the dominance of Canadian English norms.

5. Contemporary Period (21st Century)

Winnipeg today is multilingual, but English remains as the lingua franca.

The local accent is part of Western Canadian English.

Indigenous varieties of English are present, especially among urban indigenous communities.

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Definition:

lexical variation refers to the words or vocabulary we choose to express ourselves.The features include are vocabulary (simple or complex words), formality (formal or casual english), jargon/slang (words for specific group or settings), synonymy (using similar words), register (language for specific situations).

Categories of lexical features:

1. Vocabulary type (simple vs technical)

i) British English (keith wickham)

Uses railway- specific vocabulary like “coal”, “stations”, “fires”, “waiting rooms”, and  “passengers”.

Sounds more traditional,reinforcing the setting of a historical railway.

Why? British english , especially rp in children’s show, tends to preserve specific,concrete nouns for clarity and realism.

ii) American English (kerry shale)

Same vocabulary used,but the tone makes it feel less formal,more direct and instructional.

The same words (e.g. “fires in the waiting rooms”) might sound less vivid due to flatter delivery.

Why? American English often emphasizes efficiency over embellishment, even with the same vocabulary.

2. Formality

i) British English

”you must take coal…”- the modal verb “must” suggests obligation, giving a serious tone.

The sentence structure is full,complex, and polite. “If the fires in the waiting rooms go out, then the passengers will get cold and complain”.

Why? Reflects british values of formality,structure, and clarity in speech.

ii) American English

Same sentence but sounds more casual, even with the same words.

Tone of voice softens the severity of “must”, making it feel like a reminder rather that a command.

Why? The American delivery style prioritizes relatability,less hierarchical.

3. Contextual register (setting based language use)

i) British English

The language feels more narrative and official, like an adult addressing a junior worker.

”it is a very important job”- delivered with weight,almost like a moral lesson.

Why? fits the storytelling style of british children’s media where lessons and duties are emphasizes.

ii) American English

The same line feels like a task reminder, less storytelling, more goal-oriented.

”it is a very important job”- sounds supportive,not authoritative.

Why? American register in shows like this is more peer- oriented,focusing on teamwork and encouragement.

4.  Synonymy/ meaning shift via delivery

• Although both versions use exact same words, the intonation and emphasis change meaning:

• ”you must take coal…”

i)British: stresses “must”-duty,order

ii)American: stresses “coal”-urgency of resource,teamwork

-”.....Very important job”

i) British English: feels like judgement from a superior

ii) American English: feels like positive encouragement