British English

[marti]

Why do Brits say while but write whilst?

[lego]

I think there's no hope that the Brits will ever learn proper English. ;)

[cottmann]

Why do Brits say while but write whilst?

A. Because we can.
B. Because we differentiate between the formal ('whilst') in writing, and the informal ('while') in speech.

[francois]

How would one pronounce whilst if one wanted to pronounce it or is it always pronounced while? I am assuming that while rhymes with owl and thou but I am not a Brit. :-?

[Nirish guy]

Here you go.........

http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=w ... mit=Submit (http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=whilst&submit=Submit)

"I am assuming that while rhymes with owl and thou but I am not a Brit"

While wouldn't rhyme with word Owl or Thou, but rhymes more with the words Style and File etc.

Hope that helps.

[scottish-guy]

.....also rhymes with "Pile"



(or haemorrhoid if you're a posh queen)