Music terminology tends to have two different systems in the English language to name note values, rest values as well as a few assorted other terms. Obviously, other languages would have there own terminology words. In English, there is the British English terminology and the American English terminology. This isn’t surprising as there are so many differences between British English and American English.
What is also not surprising is that the British English terms have been around longer and I have heard and read that the American terms are better and easier to learn because they are based around mathematical fractions. The American terms for music do have a logical pattern and therefore I can understand why people would say they are easier. As I am Australian, I grew up with the British system of terms and I never had a problem learning them and neither has my hundreds of students.
In some ways I think it is a shame that there has developed two different sets of terminology in the English language as it could prove confusing to someone that English is a second language. In an ideal world, I think there should only have one in existence in English but I have been on a few forums about this topic and there are people who staunchly prefer one or the other. Neither system of terminology is dying out any time soon.
Because what I consider is ideal isn’t going to happen any time in the foreseeable future, I think the next best ideal is for everyone to become familiar with both British English terminology and American English terminology. Even though I was never taught the American English terms, I certainly picked them up when I was a teenager. I must say that because I was taught the British English terminology, I find that it is more instinctive to me than the American English terms.
I’m quite certain that I am part of the majority of music teachers or professional musicians, when it comes to being familiar with both British English and American English terminology. Actually, I would be surprised if music teachers or music performers were not really familiar with both.
For the most part, the majority of people who make music are amateurs and amateurs really have not need to be familiar with both. It is certainly not obligatory to be familiar with both. If someone was American or Canadian then they are probably better off learning the American English terminology, but if you lived in the UK, Australia or New Zealand, then you would be better off learning the British English terms. If you live in some other part of the Commonwealth and have piano lessons in English, then you would be using the British English terminology.
As far as which one is better, I have my own opinion with which I would find many people agree with me and many disagree. It really doesn’t matter what any of our opinions matter, just so long as you endeavor to learn one set of terminology.