The confusion arises from the historical context:
* English originated in England, hence the name.
* British encompasses all the people and languages of the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Therefore, while it's common to hear people talk about "British English" or "British language," it's more accurate to say "English" when referring to the language itself.
However, the term "British English" is often used to highlight specific regional variations within English spoken in Britain, compared to other varieties of English spoken globally.