World Englishes and Global Communication - Vocabulary Flashcards

Lesson 1: Varieties of English Language

• World Englishes concept: English as lingua franca, with regional varieties influenced by many languages. Key models: ENL (English as Native Language), ESL (English as Second Language), EFL (English as Foreign Language).

• Kachru’s Concentric Circles:

  • Inner Circle: native English countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand).

  • Outer Circle: Englishes with a long history as second/official languages (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, India).

  • Expanding Circle: English used as an international language, variety of performance contexts (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan).

• Core implications for communication:

  • Phonology, orthography, syntax, and semantics vary across circles.

  • Pronunciation challenges (e.g., Japanese speakers pronouncing /l/ as /r/ in some contexts; Korean consonants; Filipino long-vowel issues).

  • Writing and reading norms differ; culture heavily shapes usage.

• Global literacy today includes digital/media literacy; purposes of informing, expressing, influencing, entertaining persist.

• Culture intersects with language: mass media can unite/divide; culture informs how we communicate.

• Key terms to remember: ENL, ESL, EFL; Inner/Outer/Expanding circles; World Englishes as a framework for understanding variation.

Lesson 2: Types of Communication Strategies

• Six communication strategies:

  • Non-verbal

  • Verbal (face-to-face)

  • Verbal (distance)

  • Written

  • Formal

  • Informal

• Formal vs Informal communication:

  • Formal: official channels, predetermined structure, professional tone; often written as a record or transcript.

  • Informal: spontaneous, less structured; more personal tone; useful for quick exchanges but less reliable for formal purposes.

  • Strategy selection depends on audience, purpose, and context; strive for clarity and appropriateness.

• Registers (five): Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual, Intimate

  • Frozen: fixed language, ritualistic (e.g., pledges, laws).

  • Formal: structured, impersonal, one-way in many contexts (speeches, reports).

  • Consultative: standard professional discourse between strangers or in professional settings.

  • Casual: informal language among peers.

  • Intimate: private language for close relationships.

• Verbal vs Non-verbal impact:

  • Mehrabian-inspired idea: non-verbal cues and tone often carry more meaning than the literal words.

  • Non-verbal cues include: repetition, contradiction, substitution, complementing, accenting.

• Non-verbal communication in practice:

  • Face-to-face: strongest channel for two-way interaction; eye contact and articulation matter.

  • Distance/remote: adjust pace and tone; listening is crucial; back up with written when possible.

• Practical tips:

  • Listen actively; align tone with message; ensure the receiver decodes as intended.

Lesson 3: Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

• Culture vs society; culture as learned behavior and identity; co-cultures exist within a larger culture.

• Hall’s concept: high-context vs low-context cultures.

  • High-context: relationships, indirect communication, nonverbal cues drive meaning (examples: many Asian, Arab, Latin American cultures).

  • Low-context: explicit, direct communication; information is spelled out (examples: US, much of Western Europe).

• Ethnocentrism, Cultural Relativism, Cultural Pluralism:

  • Ethnocentrism: viewing one’s own culture as superior; leads to miscommunication.

  • Cultural Relativism: understanding practices within their own context; no absolute good/evil standard.

  • Cultural Pluralism: respect for cultural uniqueness within a common set of laws and values; not the same as multiculturalism.

• Co-cultural penetration strategies (Edwards): assimilation, accommodation, separation.

  • Assimilation: adopt dominant group norms to fit in.

  • Accommodation: preserve one’s own culture while engaging with the dominant culture.

  • Separation: minimize contact with the dominant culture.

• Practical implications for workplaces:

  • Learn about both dominant culture and co-cultures; tailor communication to diverse audiences.

  • Train teams to recognize and bridge cultural differences to reduce misunderstandings.

Lesson 5: Standard and Nonstandard English

• Standard English: polished form used in education, government, business; features uniform spelling and conventions; intended to be widely understood.

• Nonstandard English: regional or colloquial variants; may include grammatical features not aligned with standard forms; can be informal, but not inherently wrong depending on audience/purpose.

• Why both exist:

  • Audience, purpose, and occasion determine which form is appropriate.

  • Substandard forms can be legitimate in casual speech; over-reliance in formal contexts can affect credibility.

• Common nonstandard features (highlights):

  • Double negatives, nonstandard pronouns (e.g., hisself, themselves), colloquialisms, and regional grammar variations.

• Writing guidance:

  • Use Standard English for formal writing; adapt tone to audience; semi-formal tone is often a safe middle ground.

  • Nonstandard forms can be acceptable in informal communication or creative writing, but be cautious in professional settings.

• Applications (practice focus):

  • Rewriting sentences to standard English; recognizing when standard vs. informal is appropriate.

Lesson 6: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language (Slang, Cliché, Jargon, Sexist Language)

• Registers overview (five): Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual, Intimate

  • Features and appropriate contexts for each register; use formal language for academic, legal, or professional settings; casual for peers; intimate for close relations.

• Formal vs Informal language:

  • Formal: denotative, impersonal, structured; used in research, official notices, and professional communications.

  • Informal: contractions, slang, idioms; used in everyday conversation and informal contexts.

• Jargon, Cliché, Sexist language:

  • Jargon: field-specific terms; saves time but can alienate non-experts.

  • Cliché: overused expressions; signals lack of originality.

  • Sexist language: gender-biased terms; modern usage favors gender-inclusive language.

• Gender-inclusive language practice:

  • Replace masculine generic terms with gender-inclusive alternatives; use neutral job titles and pronouns.

• Practical guidelines:

  • Choose language register based on audience and context; avoid unnecessary jargon when communicating with broader audiences.

Key concepts to recall (quick reference)

• World Englishes and three-circle model (Inner/Outer/Expanding Circles).

• ENL, ESL, EFL and their relevance for global communication.

• Five registers: Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual, Intimate.

• Six communication strategies: Non-verbal, Verbal (face-to-face), Verbal (distance), Written, Formal, Informal.

• High-context vs Low-context cultures; ethnocentrism vs cultural relativism vs cultural pluralism.

• Assimilation vs Accommodation vs Separation in intercultural contexts.

• Standard vs Nonstandard English; context-appropriate usage; common nonstandard features.

• Jargon, cliché, slang, and sexist language; importance of gender-inclusive language.

Notes: When applying these concepts, always match the language style and channel to the audience, purpose, and setting. Consider cultural context, and actively listen and observe nonverbal cues to ensure effective communication.