Resource centre - Theory and issues - Standard English
The term "English speaker" is so broad few people realize the extent of our language differences across the world. Whilst we all essentially speak one language there are some variations both in grammar and vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. Gill Hart asks "Does it really matter?"
So does it really matter? Surely in today's world such differences only cause
minor misunderstandings. With the rise of Internet technologies and an ever
growing global economy, does anyone actually speak a pure form of their own
English anymore? Certainly in the future, compromise may be the key. Who knows,
in the future we may well see a world standard of English!
Many English speakers have found Americanisms slowly creeping into their
language, (particularly in British English), causing a hotch potch of styles.
Certainly, English may be the international language of communication - but
which kind?
Indeed, many students don't realise that they actually regularly mix standards
of English. Take a typical essay sentence:
She emerged from the elevator in the computer shop and went to make an inquiry
regarding the despatch of her colour monitor. (American, British, American,
British, British)
He opened the boot and took out the grey garbage bag, and then parked his car in
the lot. (British, British, American, American)
Such a mix of varieties would be enough to make a traditional English teacher's
hair go white, but is it so far from reality?
Which is better?
As a teacher, a favourite question continually asked by my students is "Which is
better American or British English?" My answer is always the same, "It depends!"
These days, we can also add the Australian variety, as where I live in Asia,
learners are exposed to more Australian English than in other parts of the world
and are more likely to study there than in the States or the UK. Although
admittedly the difference between Australian and British English is very small
and mainly vocabulary based.
Certainly in academic terms we would be expected to choose one type of English
over another for consistency, and a school curriculum will favour a particular
standard, whatever that may be.
With so many varieties of English, course book writers and publishers are in
somewhat of a conundrum as there has to be a particular standard of English
which should be followed throughout the book. Consequently, commercially
produced course books from leading ELT publishers often feature both British and
American varieties in the same series. e.g. Headway and American Headway.
So what factors can influence whether foreign learners are better off learning a
particular standard of English? Put simply, excluding any demands that the
curriculum might make, it depends on what is more appropriate; taking into
account their current and future academic, employment or social needs and their
geographical location.
If someone is working for a US owned company or one whose client base is
predominantly American then the company will probably require American English
in its written communication. Similarly if you are studying to be a tour guide
in an area frequented by British tourists, it makes sense to concentrate on that
standard. If a learner is going to study in Australia then familiarising
themselves with Australian English beforehand is going to benefit them in the
long run. Similarly, if someone has a British or American partner, the same
principle applies and if a student comes from a European country like Sweden
they are more likely to be taught British English, due to its close proximity
and economic importance within that region.
Healthy competition amongst language teachers
When I have managed language schools, it was apparent to me that there was often
healthy competition between teachers of different nationalities, regarding the
quality or importance of their particular standard of English. Some of them were
very protective, as each variety has its own special identity. As the renowned
linguist David Crystal states, in his Encyclopaedia of the English Language
(p310), "Each country where English is a first language is aware of its
linguistic identity, and is anxious to preserve it from the influence of others.
New Zealanders don't want to be Australians, Canadians don't want to be
Americans, and Americanism is perceived as a danger signal by usage guardians
everywhere"
Language schools abroad may favour one particular standard of English over
another (usually based on its geography or appropriacy), and therefore
sometimes, understandably, give preference to that particular nationality of
teacher.
Personally though, I like to keep an open mind, as there can also be advantages
for both students and teachers. Students get to be exposed to more varieties of
English, providing them with a more well rounded education and improving their
listening comprehension by exposing them to different global accents. Teachers
are also made aware of the differences in varieties, increasing their own
knowledge base.
Provided teachers teach what is in the course book and do not interfere with the
main objectives of the course, does it really hurt to explain to a student the
differences between rubbish and garbage for example, or that lay-by in Australia
is the equivalent to hire purchase in the UK, when they come across that
particular word in the book?
The Standards of English
It is interesting to note how many regional standards of English there actually
are, if we take into account English spoken as both a first and second language.
1. British and Irish
2. American
3. Canadian
4. Australian, New Zealand & South Pacific
5. Caribbean
6. West, East and South African (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya,)
7. South Asian (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh)
8. East Asian (Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong)
Ref: The Circle of World English, p111, Cambridge Encyclopedia of the
English Language, David Crystal (Cambridge University Press 1995)
In conclusion, it is worth noting that when all's said and done, EFL teachers
and linguists will continue to debate on this emotive subject. However, the
(minor?) differences between our varieties of English should be put into
perspective; we all speak the same (but different) language after all!
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What do you think of this article? Add a comment »
I generally point out usage
variations, especially for spelling. My shortcut on the whiteboard is to prefix
them with US > and UK >. Some of the most useful structured
speaking practice books available to us come from the USA. Being Australian,
though, most of our material comes from British or Australian sources, ensuring
that spelling is consistent with the local scene. However, many English students
here are from South Korea, where their previous English training has usually
been American-based. We've no choice but to address differences, because
perceptive students will be experiencing them even as we study. One aside: I
know "debate" as a verb can be either transitive or intransitive, but don't we
normally omit the preposition when there's an invitation to "debate a subject"?
Separated by a common
language, clichéd, but true.
Although people says the
British speak the best English, I say as above that other countries, such as
West Africa, Nigeria and other countries speak very good English too. Teachers
teach students and some day students becomes teachers so we all are still
learning English that is why new words come out every day. Thanks.
The debate as to which
version of English to teach is not up for discussion as far as I am concerned.
If you ask your son/daughter whether they would like a new iPod or an "imitation
cheap version" the answer would be honest and swift. The original, would be
their reply. Yes, I am of English descent and proud of it. I have no qualms
about other nationalities adopting our language, but it should not be forgotten
where it originated.
History will always tell you that we colonised many countries and as so the
English language was their first language. It seems to me history has been
forgotten or ignored. Americans love to be the superpower and dominant force in
everything these days. However, it was the settlers from yesteryear that sailed
from our fair land that gave America their grass roots. The same goes for
Australia too. I will not dwell on history, but let's not forget how the English
language became so widely globalised.
If you say English to someone and ask them what it conjures within their minds,
they would say London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc. Not anything American,
Canadian, Australian, Caribbean etc. I am an English teacher and I teach all
that is English, not a version of it but the original and not a hand me down
copy!
I really enjoyed the
article. Having taught English in Japan, I can understand where your coming
from. The rivalries between the teachers who were protecting their version of
English was a great source of banter! Being from the UK, a popular one was
always "Colour has a U in it!!!
I teach at a language
school in Germany where there is a fair amount of debate as to which is
'better'. A colleague of mine even went as far as suggesting to his students
that they don't use British English at all, because American English is more
global (he said because of Hollywood, American English is seen and heard more
often - a moot point in Germany where everything is dubbed). He also used to
correct their (southern) British pronunciation of words like bath and laugh. My
opinion - the more exposure to different varieties of English, the better. But
it should be focused to the students' needs. If their more likely to do business
with the UK or study there (i.e. most of Europe) then British English should be
more stressed.
Philip's smacks of
imperialism! Of course Britain is the source but it doesn't mean that other
standard varieties of English are in any way less worthy. For one thing, the
influence of the language today is due to the American dominance more so than
the British, so I would think that American English should hold equal currency
if not more? So should Malaysian English, Indian English and so on.
I read post your comments
with amusement. To claim that you teach English in its original form is somewhat
ignorant. Has not the English language evolved over the years? Is it still in
its original form in the UK? If you are teaching foreign students the original
form of English they will not be able to communicate to a vast majority of
modern English speakers. Mate, relax a little and enjoy life. Language is
dynamic and will grow and evolve with time and culture. The name itself reflects
it origins. Start to worry if its name is changed to 'American' or
'Australian'.
Hiberno-English is my
mother tongue. I began to teach British English in 1993. I enjoy the differences
between the many forms of the language however, my task as a teacher is to
enable my students use the language in their lives. Exposure to the various
forms can be useful if the student has a good grasp of one form, an interest in
or need for the other forms.The question of accent and pronunciation is also a
thorny one and possibly a more difficult one to resolve. Philips history lesson
is naive and insulting. Look at any English dictionary the influence of other
cultures on the English language is clear. History culture, language and
tradition are fluid if they are static they are dead!
I teach English in Turkey,
I teach my kids both main varieties of English and I think they have the right
to learn this fact. To Philip, I can say, English may be coming from British
people, but today UK version is the one that least resembles all other
varieties. Although it originated from the "Island" it doesn't belong to the
Island anymore. Otherwise it couldn't have been a world language. Actually I am
not astonished to hear how "proudly" Philip explained us (as if we don't know")
that once British Empire colonized and exploited all those countries he counted
(as they are doing today together with US in Iraq under a more modern and
democratic picture). I am not astonished to hear it since it just fitted the
world-wide-known picture of the British - Snobbish and arrogant.
Volcano in answer to "imperialist Philip"...
Amusing, but Phillip, how
far do you want to go back in history? It is a Germanic language, you know...
;-) Who cares which English somebody speaks, as long as he can make himself
understood and that requires flexibility in language! Dynamic (like Matt said)
is the keyword!
I have just returned from a
teaching post in Moscow which certainly opened my eyes to the English language.
The true British English is as usual being stifled by American Slanguage and
pathetic pronunciation.
As English speakers, we all
have our preferences as to which English we teach. To us, the differences are
profound, but we are still able to navigate them. I think exposing students to a
variety of English serves them best. Think about learning a new language
yourself; the differences that a native speaker can easily distinguish are
gibberish to you! I recently lived in Japan and learned standard Japanese from a
textbook and a highly educated woman. In class I could speak and understand, but
in the outside world, the language was impossible for me. After bumbling through
for 5 1/2 months thinking I would never be able to understand and communicate in
Japanese, I took a trip to a large city. I was SHOCKED that I could understand
and use my language training. I thought that maybe everything had crystalized
for me. Four days later I returned home and realized that I was just as lost as
before. I always thought it was me who was the problem, but really, it was the
fact that the area I was living in had a very different accent and dialect than
standard Japanese. I was training my ear to recognize standard Japanese but
that's not what I was hearing!
Long story short, we should recognize that we are there to help people
communicate and not teaching EFL in order to propagate our own regional form of
English.
PS. One of the language classes I took over couldn't understand me because I had
a "strange" accent. (I have a standard Canadian accent--not the fake "Americans
making fun of Canadians") Their previous teacher was from Mississippi and
pronounced my name as "Gin"ifer. To most English speakers he was the one with
the strange accent!
I have taught English as a
foreign language, and I'm English myself so have certain biases! I believe that
British English is more 'correct' in general in terms of our use of the perfect
tenses and of some adverbs which are often omitted or swapped for adjectives in
American English. That said, when I am teaching in Mexico or in Latin American
countries for example I will advise students to focus more on American English
because it is far more relevant to them. I will also teach new words
demonstrating not only how I say it, but how a North American would say it
because a mixture of styles is the worst style of all. Furthermore, language is
something that is constantly evolving, so we can't really talk about what is the
original or best anymore and those things aren't really important. I love the
differences between American and British English, if we were all the same things
would be very boring.
Well shuks guys we alls can
live together and speaks hows ever we want. why you all gettin all upedy. if
yous was in my house id give ya some viddles and a good ole cup a joe and i
wouldna care a dern hows you spoke english just as long as yous wan'nt upety.
why you ain't been speakin english no longer then i have. ancesestry don't mean
squat. we alls come from the same place so it's just a matter of english growin
differently. just as it wil always do.
I think we should allow
people to speak how they wanna speak we all have the right to speak, so I don't
care!
I am nigerian and I teach
English in Nigeria. I am of the opinion that standard english can never be
attained because of so many factors like culture, interferences, inadequate
teaching materials etc. Don't you think we should just go ahead with what is
obtainable within our context? Can we ever attain standard english?"
In my opinion, I feel that
is important to learn the "standard" of English that pretains to your region and
teach others the same way you have been brought up to speak the language. The
main goal is to transmit knowledge to others, whether that's in American English
or Canadian English; the fruit of the matter is that it's English! So give your
vocal cords a rest and learn to live like brothers and sisters or perish
together as fools ~ Gandhi.
If we speak of correct
English, first we must define English. No one has yet provided a definition on
this page. And according to whom? The facility with which some regions speak
their version of English is greater than that of others whose English is
considered to be more correct. Further to this, we are denying the social and
anthropological ramifications of types of language. Morphosyntax can be much
more effective and pragmatic than pure language, can it not?? Much of the above
is missing the point.
English is not a Germanic language, it has multiple roots, much of the vocab and
grammar first emanated from the Latin / Greek, and the alphabet was born in
Evia. The Angles, Saxons, and Juites, as well as the Vikings had their input.
But to say that it IS a Germanic language is quite... obfuscatory one should
say. Old English was not a Germanic language, how can modern English be Germanic
with so many modern influences, focusing, standardization, colonial lags etc etc
etc?
I'm in an MA TESOL program
in San Francisco CA. I am doing a case study of an ESL learner whose L1 is Cantonese.
What I don't see in this excellent discussion of various "forms" of English
(e.g., Australian, American, British, etc.) is the effect a particular instructor's
own accent may have on learning English. My case study subject was taught English
1st in Hong Kong by a Cantonese instructor with a heavy Cantonese accent. She was
taught British English and with a British accent, but by a Hong Kong native whose
L2 is Cantonese. Then she was taught ESL in succession by a Cantonese who learned
English in Toronto, then a Cantonese who learned English in Australia, and lastly
a native American instructor. She speaks of difficulties in understanding American-accented
English after education in a British-accented English and the other varieties of
accents of her instructors. I can't find much in the ESL literature about this subject.
Can anyone recommend some papers or studies on this? Thanks.
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