Language, variation, and World Englishes

variety

a general term to refer to any language or dialect

standardized language

a form of the language that is expected in formal communication and often in educational setting

dialect

a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group

accent

the manner in which people speak and the way words are pronounced in different places and by different groups (everyone has an accent!)

World Englishes

Varieties of English spoken and written in many different countries around the world.

inner circle countries

countries in Kachru's Circles model where most people speak English as their only or dominant language (e.g., UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland)

outer-circle countries

countries in Kachru's model where due to its official status, English is present in the society but is often a second or additional language used in government and education (e.g. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Singapore)

expanding circle countries

countries in Kachru's Circles model where English has no official status and it is mostly taught as a foreign language (e.g., China, France, Korea)