I am always reminded by the phrase "two nations divided by a common language". I always attributed the phrase to Sir Winston Churchill although further research would suggest that he did not. Most likely it was either Oscar Wilde or George Bernard Shaw.
In The Canterville Ghost (1887), Wilde wrote: ‘We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language’. However, the 1951 Treasury of Humorous Quotations (Esar & Bentley) quotes Shaw as saying: ‘England and America are two countries separated by the same language’.
Even Bill Gates has something to say on this subject. In the latest version of Windows 10 it is not possible to select English (United Kingdom) as your preferred language unless you select English (United Kingdom) for your keyboard too. I have found it very annoying to use English (UK) as my preferred language because my keyboard is a Microsoft American layout. There are many differences between the assigned keys on an English (American) keyboard and an English (UK) keyboard. Today I have given up the battle and setup an English (American) keyboard to accurately assign all the keys in their right place and, Buddha forgive, the use of English (American) as my default language. Presumably that will also influence the dictionary that is used to do the spell check on everything I type. So if you start seeing American English in my future posts do not worrry, it's a language change imposed on me by Microsoft.
P.S. Anyone know where I can buy an English (United Kingdom) QWERTY, wireless keyboard?