Samples of World English

The seven texts below are all taken from blogs (web-logs) written by English speakers from around the world.

Although all these texts show a significant degree of similarity to standard British or US English, they also – to different degrees - differ in various ways. Each, however, shows particular characteristics that are typical of the variety of English in question.

These might be a) grammatical, b) lexical, c) orthographical or d) more generally relating to style and rhetoric.

See how many examples of each kind you can find in each text.

The origins of each text are given at the end of this document.

Text 1 Blog http//blogs.theage.com.au/lifestyle/allmenareliars//archives/2006/09/the_best_beer_y.html

For explanation of peculiar terms see: Macquarie Dictionary

I am a pretty straightforward drinker and beer is my tipple of choice. Mostly I drink it because it seems like a good idea at the time, or occasionally, because I'm thirsty. One such mighty thirst is burned in my memory.

Myself and my mate were barra fishing in the Top End, and were stranded in a mangrove creek by the falling tide with the temperature decidedly tropical AND NOTHING TO BLOODY DRINK IN THE BOAT. Four hours we sat there, catching no fish, dreaming of frosty ones, waiting for the incoming tide to allow us to escape.

We were the guests of Joe Jenkins, a sun-dried, eternally cheerful one-armed professional barramundi fisherman who had a generator-powered cold room the size of a small garage at his camp. That's where he kept the fish until he could truck it into XXXX.

Also his beer.

We staggered back to camp with thirsts you could photograph and Joe pulled a chilled carton (no such thing as slabs then) of stubbies out of that beautiful cold room. I do not lie when I say I drank four on the trot in as many minutes and could hear my skin popping as its moisture level was restored.

They were, and still are, the best beers I ever tasted. Then, with the crocodiles barking happily in the mangroves and the mossies sweating on the arrival of dusk, we settled on to our hammocks for a boozy, languorous afternoon – finishing that carton and then another one.

Bloody marvellous. Text 2 Blog http://www.redneckramblings.com/wp-trackback.php?p=816

For explanation of peculiar terms see: Urban Dictionary: Define Your World

I’m back in one piece

Some others it seems were in fear of their lives this mornin’. I was not.

I tucked in early last night. Relatively early. It allowed me to prosper this mornin’.

Prosper this… anyway, I went South. That’s always good. Pine tree’s, sunshine, and all that goes with it on a weekend like this one.

Missed the Buckeye’s winnini’. Shit happens. Can’t believe some of the upsets this weekend. Freakin’ who lets XXXX win a football game? And XXXX, thank’s for goin’ from bein’ a semi- stud to a waterhead. How in the hell do you get beat by XXXX

Damn. That’s wrong.

Text 3 Blog http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2006/09/28/scots_idioms/

For explanation of peculiar terms see: Wir Ain Leid - Idioms

I hope you’ll be sae cantie as a sou amang glaur (as happy as a pig in the mud) with today’s selection of XXXX idioms, which I found on Wir Ain Lied, An Innin tae Modern XXXX (An Introduction to Modern XXXX). As you may have noticed, A hae an ee til (I have a liking for) idioms, and I hope you’ll be smilin like a bylt haddie (smiling like a boiled haddock) at some of the idioms here.

So tak tent (pay attention) but ye needna fash yer thoum (you needn’t worry) about understanding them as I’ll provide translations. So let’s get on wi the crack (get on with the conversation) and make sure we don’t spik pan loaf (speak with an affected English accent). If you’re short o the Greek (stuck for words) don’t tyne the heid (lose your temper), but why not birl the wulkies (turn somersault)? So let’s caw cannie (proceed carefully) or somebody might cowp wir hurl (upset our plans). Mony wirds, muckle drouth (much talking makes one thirsty), so maybe it’s time to cock the wee finger (have a tipple/drink) but be sure you don’t droun the miller (put too much water in the whisky). That’s quite eneuch (enough) for now, I think. Text 4 Blog http://djjab.blogspot.com/

grafitti - a letter from Phase 2 aka True Mathematics

Interesting. Big up to the TATS brothers Still you cats and the so called..."GRAFF"....nation need to recognize and realize...this...and it's far from an opinion...

Graffitti is primitive and it's for kids!!! Even if these brothers call what they do Graffitti....it's way more than that...and the world..the socalled writers and the media need to start to give Aerosol Culture and the highest degree of elements and art in it...more credit.

The very first generation never called it GRAFFITI...in the first place...they called it writing...which was actually their own style and reinterpretation of the English language... As long as you and whoever continue to view it as..."graffiti art"...it will be nothing more than that...and it (that terminology) will never say much no matter what the art looks like. The same so called authorities that gave us inappropriate "appropriations" such as...NEGRO and (AMERICAN) INDIAN are the same ones who blessed us with nonsense like labeling our culture"graffiti"...Was it really their sincere intentions to serve justice to anyone connected to these absurdities???

It appears to be that...as long as writing and aerosol art is being done by "niggers*" wiggers* and "spics*" (the word *graffiti...is the equivalent) and not the so called upper echelon of acceptable so called artists and or individuals ...or even freaks... (Haring.. Basquait..Sharf) that it will continue to be viewed as far less than the incredible art and culture that it is...The proof is in the 30 plus years of it's existence and it's placement and perception in the world at large...

RESPECT TO MY BROTHERS....TAT...GET IT RIGHT!!!! CHANGE COMES WITH THE WILLINGNESS TO MAKE CHANGES!!!

TRUE MATHEMATICS

Text 5 Blog http://differentstrokes.blogspot.com/2006/06/rains-n-me.html

Couple of days back I enjoyed a rainy day. It was just perfect, just the way I had wanted. I stood by the window sill and enjoyed the rains along with my filter kaapi made by Amma {best thing it is}. Then I slept in the afternoon. Now, sleeping in the afternoon curled up inside a blanket, when its raining heavily outside with the fan turned on in full speed is an awesomest thing. I loved my afternoon siesta :D Then I woke up and was chatting with my friend with FM radio in the background...ALL Kishore Kumar Numbers.....WOWIEE :D I loveeeeeeeeee it. Then I went for a walk when it was drizzling outside. By the time I came back home, it started pouring cats and dogs. My friend ran off upstairs to the terrace. I followed her only to see her blissfully getting wet in the rains. Usually I don't like getting wet in rains. But something spurred me to get drenched completely.

Well to say i loved getting wet in rains would be an understatement. It was so much fun. Majja Came :D :D

Text 6 Blog (quoting a letter) http://bulletsandhoney.blogspot.com/2006/10/gikuyu-debate-hots-up.html

For explanation of peculiar terms see:

Dear Wainaina,

I am sorry that at the age of 35 we have to talk about this issue. But it seems you have a few things mixed up .First let me correct you. You are a kikuyu first and a XXXX second. Long before the colonial government formed XXXX you were a kikuyu and long after the XXXX forms you will still be a kikuyu.

Son we have brought you up to be a sceptical ,thinking person like you have indicated ,believing in solid institution and building them but my dear son let me remind you that when you build a house you have to begin with the foundation, a strong tree can not grow without strong roots. You foundation as a strong XXXX begin by being a strong XXXX, and your being a strong Kenyan begins with being a strong mgikuyu.

My dear son do not be an apologetic for who you are. Do not be ashamed of your blood and your heritage. Son sometimes in life people will blame for their own laziness and inability to adopt to the modern world .Do not think that because you are able to cope and survive that you should take the blame for their failures.

My son! Sometimes member of our own community will act foolishly but that should not worry you .after all every market has its mad man. It doesn’t mean that the whole village is mad .so dear Wainaina do not over react to the situation at hand .like every other cloud it too shall come to pass. Long before it was XXXX vs. us we defeated the British, before that countless others. So don’t worry .Only remember it is said Nyumba ya Gikuyu and Mumbi igikajeta—nigeteka!

Your loving uncle Uncle Joe

Text 7 Blog http://expressivelyjoho.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_expressivelyjoho_archive.html Unker jOhO yeah.. really unker liow. Faith gave birth to baby Anastasia (did i get that spelling right??) over an hour ago.. so congrats to Ben and Faith!!!!!!!!!!!! Anastasia Ho... hehehe.. i like it!!! lovely name. wonder what her chinese name is? she better have one, even tho she's born angmoh.. or at least in an angmoh country. long live asia!! er.. i mean anastasia... grr.. ok back to photos. can anyone guess how much angpow i'm gonna give them? please quote in AUD. i'm quite happy leh... ahhaha.. p/s for those still blur... Ben is my (REAL) brother!! just in case lar anyone dunno larrr... *skips around the cot*

Origins

Text 1: Australian English Text 2: Southern US English Text 3: Scots (Scottish English) Text 4: A.A.V.E (African American Vernacular English) Text 5: Indian English Text 6: Kenyan English Text 7: Singapore English