David Crystal 4008

Introduction to Standard English

  • The debate around 'standard' English has heightened since the 1980s.

  • Focus areas: National and international standards in education, particularly English.

  • Important to clearly understand what Standard English (SE) entails.

Defining Standard English

  • SE is a unique variety of English lacking a local base; it exhibits:

    • Distinctive grammatical, vocabulary, and spelling features.

    • It is not defined by pronunciation, as SE exists in various accents.

Key Characteristics of SE:

  1. Variety of English:

    • A unique combination of linguistic features with a specific role.

  2. Linguistic Features:

    • Primarily pertains to grammar, vocabulary, and orthography (spelling/punctuation).

  3. Social Prestige:

    • SE carries the highest prestige within a community, often chosen by influential individuals.

  4. Recognition by Community:

    • SE is recognized as a desirable educational target due to its status.

  5. Limited Production:

    • Most people speak a mix of regional and standard varieties rather than pure SE.

World Standard English (WSE)

  • Perception of WSE as a unifying force in English worldwide, yet uniformity is lacking:

    • National identities resist dominance from other regional varieties (e.g., New Zealand vs. Australia).

    • Countries exhibit preference for American or British English or a mix.

Spelling and Lexical Variations:

  • Differences in spelling across regions (e.g., program vs. programme).

  • Notable lexical distinctions in local politics, culture, and nature.

Teaching Models of SE:

  • Different accepted pronunciations include British Received Pronunciation and US General American.

Internationalism vs. Identity

  • Two conflicting issues in the English-speaking context:

    • Internationalism: Seeks an agreed-upon standard for intelligibility, promoting WSE.

    • Identity: Prioritizes distinct linguistic features to maintain uniqueness.

  • Requires balancing intelligibility and identity to cater to international standards while preserving localized forms.

Pressure for Intelligibility

  • Daily contact among English speakers increases demand for a common core of grammar, vocabulary, and orthography.

  • Complications due to regional languages and idioms affecting communication even among native speakers.

The Drive for Identity

  • National identity influences diverging English varieties, as countries adopt unique features:

    • English adapts characteristics from local languages, evident in vocabulary and prosody.

    • Preservation of distinctiveness can challenge intelligibility among speakers from different regions.

Future of English

  • Predictions about the English language's future remain contentious:

    • Optimists foresee continued global influence; pessimists predict fragmentation.

    • Historical perspectives show both views have been inaccurate, with English becoming incentivized for global communication.

    • The language continues to evolve with mixed results, maintaining intelligibility among variegated forms.