English in the World

English in the World

Objectives

• Write an essay discussing the most important issues the text(s) raised in relation to a particular aspect of the topic

• Refer to specific details from the text(s) and relate points to ideas and examples from your wider study of topic

PAPER 4: Demonstrate Knowledge on the Following:

• Historical development of English as a global language

• Varieties of English

• Relevant ethical considerations

Examples

• Colonialism, concentric circles model, multilingualism, the future of English

• Standard and nonstandard Englishes, creolisation, official and unofficial policies

• Language shift and death, cultural imperialism, global cooperation

Global Language

• A language spoken across different countries who:

• 1. Use it as their first language or mother-tongue OR

• 2. Have adopted it as their official (second) language OR

• 3. Teach it as their foreign language of choice in schools.

Global English

• Sometimes called "World English" or "International English"

• Largely a product of economic globalization and recent developments in communications technology.

Key Concepts

• Lingua Franca: A common language which can be used by different groups whose native languages are different.

• Mutual Intelligibility: People being able to understand each other despite having different native languages

• Language Contact: The changes that happen when speakers of different languages interact with one another, leading to a transfer of linguistic features.

Multiple Select

A global language is a language spoken across different countries who:

• Use it as their first language or mother-tongue

• Have adopted it as their official second language

• Require citizens to use it

• Teach is as their foreign language of choice

Poll

English is a lingua franca.

• True

• False

Borrowing

• The process during language contact by which a word from one language is adapted for use in another language

• The word that is borrowed is called a loanword

• Ex. Kindergarten

Borrowing vs. Appropriation

• Cultural Appropriation: a process in which members of the dominant culture adopt elements of a minority culture.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT an example of a loanword?

• Coffee

• Kindergarten

• Tea

• Tattoo

Key Concepts

• Codification: classifying language, giving it a stable definition and official status

• Linguistic Colonization: Colonizing power imposing its language on native speakers of another language

Exo vs Endo

• Exonormative Stabilisation: language becomes established according to the norms of the colonizing country

• Endonormative Stabilisation: language takes on the norm of the local area

Kachru's Three Circles Theory: The Spread of English

• Inner Circle: Where English is the first language for many

• Outer Circle: Where English is the second language for many and where it has status as an official language

• Expanding Circle: Where English is a foreign language

Multiple Select

The countries fall into the inner circle:

• The Philippines

• Australia

• Canada

• South Africa

Multiple Choice

Which country IS classified as part of the expanding circle?

• Nigeria

• Ghana

• Egypt

• New Zealand

Multiple Select

Which countries are classified as part of the Outer Circle?

• Japan

• Poland

• Singapore

• Ghana

Key Linguistic Terms

• Colloquial: forms of language found in casual everyday speech

• Vernacular: the dialect spoken by the ordinary local people of a region

• Dialect: a regional or social variety of a language

Advantages of a Global Language

• Worldwide Communication

• Unites the world

• Easily share cultures (arts and sciences)

Disadvantages of the spread of English

• Language Attrition: individual level

• Language Shift: level of groups or populations

• Loss of indigenous culture: Follow the above, less time and money on their own culture

• Language Death: when the last native speaker of that language dies