Multilingualism in the Workplace and Global Englishes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the historical development of English, its global distribution across different linguistic circles, lexical innovations in non-native contexts, and the hierarchy of languages in professional environments.

Norman conquest of England

A historical event in AD $1066$ that led to $400$ years of French domination in England, making French the language of government and literature.

Kitchen language

A term describing English during the period of French domination, when it was used mainly for oral communication by the lower class, including labourers and servants.

Overt prestige

The status of a dominant language, historically held by French in England and currently held by English globally in science, technology, finance, and media.

Covert prestige

The status that allowed English to survive during the period of French domination despite English not being the language of power.

Inner Circle

The traditional bases of English consisting of the USA, Canada, UK/British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand.

Outer Circle

Former British colonies where English has been institutionalized in non-native contexts and functions as one of the official languages.

Expanding Circle

Territories with no colonial ties to Britain, such as China, Japan, and Russia, where English has very restricted use.

Norm setting varieties

Varieties of English originating from the 'Inner Circle' that are generally recognized for establishing linguistic standards.

Military hotel

A lexical innovation from South Asia meaning a 'non-vegetarian hotel'.

Himalayan blunder

A lexical innovation from South Asia used to denote a 'grave or serious mistake'.

Bush child

A lexical innovation from Africa meaning a 'child born out of wedlock'.

Co-wife

A lexical innovation from Africa referring to 'the second of two wives'.

Minor wife

A lexical innovation from South East Asia used to mean 'a mistress'.

Lathi charge

A lexical innovation from South Asia referring to the 'use of a baton for control'.

Love muti

A lexical innovation from Africa meaning 'a charm to entice people to love'.

Language Hierarchy

The categorization of the world's approximately $6\,000$ languages into Supracentral, Central, Intermediate, and Peripheral groups.

Direction of Language Learning

The tendency for people to prefer learning a language that is at a higher level in the hierarchy, moving closer to the centre.

Official languages of South Africa

The eleven languages recognized constitutionally, of which English is only one, despite its dominance in the workplace.

Workplace Competences

Critical professional skills such as technical report writing, public speaking, creative thinking, and business practices like marketing and economics.