KINDS OF ENGLISH STANDARD ENGLISH AND DIALECTS KINDS

KINDS OF ENGLISH STANDARD ENGLISH AND DIALECTS

KINDS OF ENGLISH �STANDARD ENGLISH - English spoken in London and the East Midlands, ‘official’, ‘standard’ language. Because of historical circumstances it was gradually adopted as the official variety of English. - It is generally accepted for use in government, the law, business, education and literature

KINDS OF ENGLISH �DIALECT - Not adopted for official purposes Dialects have a long history Dialect is not the same as a regional accent It has a non-regional standard pronunciation or ’received pronunciation’

KINDS OF ENGLISH � Showing accent in writing: ‘elp yerself. (=Help yourself. ) C’mon. (=Come on. ) I dunno. (=I don’t know) I gotta go. (=I’ve got to go. ) � Other standard forms of English: American English and other English-speaking countries � International English (spoken as a foreign language; a mix of British and American English; often simplified). It is also called ‘Globish’.

KINDS OF ENGLISH �CORRECTNESS When do mistakes become correct? - Sometimes a mistake becomes so widespread that it becomes part of the language (this is one way in which languages develop) - There is formal and informal language - Informal words and expressions can become suitable for more formal situations -

KINDS OF ENGLISH Some of the reasons why languages change: - Influence from other dialects - Languages simplify themselves - ‘Underground’ forms become respectable - Mistakes become part of the language