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Regional and National Standards Regional and National Standards María Barroso Prieto and Silvia Telenga Outline 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) 2. Varieties of the English Language 2.1. American and British English 2.2. Canadian English 2.3. Australian English 2.4. South African English 3. The dynamics of English(es) 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) ¾ The status of English as a world language is challenging. ¾ Two issues: a) internationalism implies intelligibility b) identity implies individuality ¾ “The future of the English language depends on how the tension between these two principles will be solved.” (Crystal, p.110) 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) ¾However, English is not always welcomed. ¾It can be considered a threat. ¾Three forms of antagonism: 1. “Excessive” influence on lexis 2. Fear of replacement 3. Rejection due to colonial history 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) An example: “The basis of any independent government is a national language and we can no longer continue aping our former colonizers…Those who feel they cannot do without English can as well pack up and go.” – President Jomo Kenyatta, Nairobi, 1974 (Source: The Cambridge Encyclopedia, p. 114) 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) ¾English may be considered threatening and become threatened itself. ¾Yet, English remains the world language. 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) ¾WSE is not a totally uniform, regionally neutral form. ¾WSE is characterized by a “common core”. 1. The worldwide presence of English(es) An interesting observation: ¾On 6 July 1993, 40 newspapers from all over the English-speaking world were collected ¾The result: a fairly universal written SE exists ¾It was in most cases impossible to tell where the newspapers came from Varieties of the English Language BUT As we move away from written SE and move toward informal spoken language, differences increase noticeably 2.1. Varieties of the English Language American and British English American and British English differ according to: ¾spelling ¾pronunciation/stress differences ¾lexis (including idioms) ¾grammar 2.1. Varieties of the English Language American and British English Examples (pronunciation): British English American English medicine ´medsən ´medɪsən progress ´prəʊgres ´prɑ:gres schedule ʃedju:l skeʤu:l 2.1. Varieties of the English Language American and British English Examples (grammar): British English American English Preference for have got Have you got the time? Do you have the time? over have Preference for different burnt / I´ve just eaten. burned / I just ate. past forms Different use of articles in future / in hospital in the future / in the hospital 2.1. Varieties of the English Language American and British English Both American English and British English are not only international variations but they can also be subdivided into several inner-national varieties, accents and dialects. 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English ¾Canadian English has a lot in common with American English ¾People outside Canada may not be able to tell the difference ¾Canadians themselves consider it different from both AmE and BrE 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English ¾Canadian English is influenced by both AmE and BrE ¾Yet, it displays unique features ¾Co-existence of French ¾This situation is unknown in other English- speaking countries 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English Four features of distinctiveness: 1. Some features originate in Canada 2. Others outside Canada 3. Yet other features are identified with US English but are only used by some sections of the population 4. Features are identified with UK English and used by other sections of the population 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English ¾As in the USA and the UK, also different accents and dialects can be found in Canada ¾Despite the traditional view that Canadian English displays no internal variation 2.2. Varieties of the English Language Canadian English ¾Surveys of individual spelling practices revealed significant geographical, occupational and social variations ¾1991 report: over 80% of high-school students in Ontario wrote colour, whereas over 60% of their counterparts in Alberta wrote color 2.3. Varieties of the English Language Australian English ¾ As with Canadian English Australian English is assumed to have very little internal variation ¾ Australia as a vast country, 30 times the size of Britain, but has relatively little regional variation ¾ Groups of accents: cultivated, broad and general ¾ The actual amount of variation has not been sufficiently surveyed yet 2.4. Varieties of the English Language South African English South African English: Æa very special case ÆEnglish is in the minority in South Africa (under 10% of the population are native speakers) Æthere are eleven official languages in South Africa Æstill English is the preferred official language 2.4. Varieties of the English Language South African English ¾First language users and second language users ¾When first and second language varieties are so closely in contact, there is mutual influence ¾It has intensified in the post-apartheid era ¾The politics of segregation nevertheless created different developments 2.4. Varieties of the English Language South African English ¾South African English, however, is not only shaped by its different speakers, politics and history, to mention a few factors. ¾It also has an effect on WSE and other variations of the English language around the world. ¾´Apartheid´ 3. The dynamics of English(es) ¾English is very dynamic ¾The more speakers and nations engage with English as first or second language, the more changing forces it is exposed to. ¾WSE is therefore constantly shaped by and itself shapes other national variations. 3. The dynamics of English(es) The influence of non-native speakers on English(es) must also be taken into account! 3. The dynamics of English(es) Crystal, D. Barber, D. “One reason why the use of English by “This world-wide expansion of English non-native speakers is so important is means that it is now one of the most that there are so many of them. More widely spoken languages in the world, people now speak English as a with well over four hundred million second language than speak it as a native speakers, and roughly the same mother tongue.” (p. 359) number who speak it as a second language.” (p. 236) Thank you for your attention! Bibliography Barber, D. (1993): "English as a world language" in: The English Language. A Historical Introduction. Cambridge: CUP Crystal, D. ( 1995):The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. London: BCA o http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4080401.stm o http://www.watesol.org/newsletter/v34_1/WorldEnglish.gif o http://www.southafrica.info/about/people/language.htm.
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