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.