DP

Module 1 Varieties of English

Overview of the Global Spread of English

  • Discussion centered on the global spread of English and the World Englishes paradigm.

  • The evolution of models based on World Englishes theory.

First Diaspora of English

  • Definition: The initial large-scale migration of English speakers mainly from England, Scotland, and Ireland to North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

  • Timeline: Began in the 17th century, continuing through the 18th and 19th centuries.

  • Impact on English Varieties:

    • Development of native speaker varieties influenced by early migrations to regions like the USA and Canada.

    • Examples include American English and languages such as Pidgin and Creole from interactions with enslaved Africans.

    • In Australia (1788), English incorporated indigenous terms due to contact with Aboriginal languages.

    • In New Zealand, English emerged by the 1790s, influenced by Maori language and culture.

    • In South Africa, English became official in 1822, evolving through diverse cultural influences.

Second Diaspora of English

  • Definition: Spread due to British colonialism in Asia and Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries.

  • Impact: Led to the development of second language varieties rather than native varieties.

    • South Asia: Introduced via the East India Company; became essential for governance and education in countries such as India and Pakistan.

    • Southeast Asia: English entrenched in governance and law in regions like Singapore and Malaysia. Although largely replaced by Bahasa Malaysia, English education has been resurgent.

    • West Africa: Countries like Nigeria and Ghana adopted English as a lingua franca, evolving into Pidgin/Creole.

    • East Africa: Countries retained English as an official language post-independence, alongside indigenous languages like Swahili.

Current Statistics on English Usage

  • Global Linguistic Landscape:

    • Approx. 2 billion speakers of English globally (native and non-native).

    • First Language (ENL) speakers: approx. 380 million (2024).

    • Second Language (ESL) speakers: over 1 billion.

    • English as a Foreign Language (EFL): over 1.4 billion speakers.

  • Observation: An increasing number of non-native speakers emphasizing the question of standard English.

The Concept of Standard English

  • Controversy: What constitutes 'standard' English?

  • Historical Note: Quirk (1962) emphasized that English is not solely the prerogative of native speakers.

  • Recognition that there is no singular correct English; the global context introduces various legitimate forms.

Kachru's Concentric Circles Model

  • Model Overview:

    • Inner Circle: Norm-providing countries with English native speakers (e.g., UK, USA).

    • Outer Circle: Norm-developing countries where English is institutionalized (e.g., India, Nigeria).

    • Expanding Circle: Norm-dependent countries where English is taught as a foreign language (e.g., China, Japan).

  • Dynamic Reality: Transition to Kachru's overlapping ovals model reflecting fluid boundaries among varieties.

Other Models of English

  • David Modiano's EIL Model: Focus on proficiency in International English for effective cross-cultural communication, moves beyond native speaker norms.

  • Gradol's Functional Nativeness Model: Highlights proficiency over native status; suggests functional ability is more relevant.

  • Jenkins' ELF (English as Lingua Franca): Focus on English as a global communication tool emphasizing flexibility, mutual intelligibility, and adjustment in communication.

New Englishes and the Philippines

  • Capitalized 'New Englishes': Varieties developed independently of British norms, significant in settler colonies.

  • Lowercase 'new Englishes': Emerged in multilingual postcolonial societies, reflective of local languages and cultures, as seen in Philippine English.

  • Philippine English: An evolving variety infused with local culture, showcasing the language's adaptation and transformation as described by Nick Joaquin (1964).

  • Recognition that English is a tool for sharing individual and cultural narratives in the Philippines, emphasizing its distinct identity.

Future Topics

  • Further discussions on various varieties of English, concentrating on Philippine English and its linguistic features as framed by World Englishes theory.

**What have I learned from the video?** I learned that English is spoken all over the world and has changed a lot. It first spread when people from England, Scotland, and Ireland moved to places like North America and Australia. This created new versions of English like American English. Later, during British colonial times, English spread to countries in Asia and Africa, which made it important for schools and governments there. Nowadays, around 2 billion people speak English, and a lot of them are not native speakers. Different places have their own ways of speaking English now. **What is the video all about?** The video is about the global spread of English and how it has developed over time. It talks about the First Diaspora, which was when many people moved from Britain to other countries, and the Second Diaspora, when English spread during colonial times. The video shows that there is no one right way to speak English anymore, as many countries have their own forms of the language, like Philippine English. Overall, it explains how English keeps changing as more people around the world use it.

Standard language refers to the form of a language that is widely accepted as the norm in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It's the version of the language that is used in formal settings, like schools and books. Language standard, on the other hand, is about the rules and guidelines that help people understand what is correct or acceptable in that standard language. This means there can be different standards depending on where you are, and these can change over time. It's important to remember that there isn't just one 'correct' way to speak or write a language, as different people and places have their own versions.