Evaluate the idea that the English language is changing and breaking up into many different
Englishes.
The idea that English is breaking up into many different Englishes means that new varieties
which diverge from English can no longer be called 'standard varieties', but rather different
types of English. There are some linguists that would support that claim and argue that
varieties have diverged so much from British English that they are different types, whereas
some linguists argue that all languages stem from the same common language so all have
similarities and must hence all be English. The truth is that English is not a static monolith,
change is inevitable due to contextual factors such as trade and economic power which
causes English to spread and be picked up by speakers whose features of their native
language diffuse into the system.
It can be considered difficult to define what criteria a language must have to be called a
variety of English since some Englishes such as Basilects have features in their system
which are so different from that of Standard English that they can no longer even be called a
different type of English. For example, Scheider offered the example of Singlish which was
created after an English trading post was established in Singapore in the 19th century, and
hence an elite bilingualism spread in which speaking English was associated with that of
higher classes. However, as ties with England began to weaken, features from Singapore
such as 'lah' to express uncertainty and the use of tag questions such as 'no?' diffused into
the vernacular which are not common features of British English. Jenkins argues that
features from a mother tongue may become integrated into new varieties of language.
Kachru's model conceptualises the varieties of English. The norm-providing circle includes
varieties such as American and Australian English which were influenced by British English
over 400 years ago. The outer circles are norm-developing which include varieties such as
Indian English, which suggests that new varieties from just like Singlish. However, the
outermost circle; norm-dependent suggests that all varieties depend on English and are
therefore English rather than different languages. However, it is important to note that
arguing that the English language is a prescriptivist approach since they argue change
doesn't occur but the reality is that change happens. Also, it is important to note that calling
all varieties the same English can cause conflict since it may suggest group privilege which
can enforce the power during colonisation. Many people don't want their language to be
associated with times of repression and power, and therefore calling their language a
different type of English means their language is not gate-kept by colonisers. Therefore,
although it could be argued that all languages which use English features are English, it is
important to note that recognising the different varieties is crucial for social change and
allowing reclamation of countries' own languages to evoke independence rather than
dependence.
McArthur's wheel model provides a model of the diverse types of English throughout the
world. There are over 50 different varieties with unique systems throughout the world with
unique forms of language. In terms of phonology, Indian dialects use retroflex pronunciations
for 'l' and 'r' whereas Jamaican English speakers say 'd' instead of 'th'. In addition there are
different grammatical rules in each language. For example, in African English it is common
to use the progressive forms of material verbs such as 'is knowing' whereas in British
English the present simple tense would be used 'she knows'. In addition other varieties have
distinctive idioms which can enforce identity which arise because of cultural features. In
Englishes.
The idea that English is breaking up into many different Englishes means that new varieties
which diverge from English can no longer be called 'standard varieties', but rather different
types of English. There are some linguists that would support that claim and argue that
varieties have diverged so much from British English that they are different types, whereas
some linguists argue that all languages stem from the same common language so all have
similarities and must hence all be English. The truth is that English is not a static monolith,
change is inevitable due to contextual factors such as trade and economic power which
causes English to spread and be picked up by speakers whose features of their native
language diffuse into the system.
It can be considered difficult to define what criteria a language must have to be called a
variety of English since some Englishes such as Basilects have features in their system
which are so different from that of Standard English that they can no longer even be called a
different type of English. For example, Scheider offered the example of Singlish which was
created after an English trading post was established in Singapore in the 19th century, and
hence an elite bilingualism spread in which speaking English was associated with that of
higher classes. However, as ties with England began to weaken, features from Singapore
such as 'lah' to express uncertainty and the use of tag questions such as 'no?' diffused into
the vernacular which are not common features of British English. Jenkins argues that
features from a mother tongue may become integrated into new varieties of language.
Kachru's model conceptualises the varieties of English. The norm-providing circle includes
varieties such as American and Australian English which were influenced by British English
over 400 years ago. The outer circles are norm-developing which include varieties such as
Indian English, which suggests that new varieties from just like Singlish. However, the
outermost circle; norm-dependent suggests that all varieties depend on English and are
therefore English rather than different languages. However, it is important to note that
arguing that the English language is a prescriptivist approach since they argue change
doesn't occur but the reality is that change happens. Also, it is important to note that calling
all varieties the same English can cause conflict since it may suggest group privilege which
can enforce the power during colonisation. Many people don't want their language to be
associated with times of repression and power, and therefore calling their language a
different type of English means their language is not gate-kept by colonisers. Therefore,
although it could be argued that all languages which use English features are English, it is
important to note that recognising the different varieties is crucial for social change and
allowing reclamation of countries' own languages to evoke independence rather than
dependence.
McArthur's wheel model provides a model of the diverse types of English throughout the
world. There are over 50 different varieties with unique systems throughout the world with
unique forms of language. In terms of phonology, Indian dialects use retroflex pronunciations
for 'l' and 'r' whereas Jamaican English speakers say 'd' instead of 'th'. In addition there are
different grammatical rules in each language. For example, in African English it is common
to use the progressive forms of material verbs such as 'is knowing' whereas in British
English the present simple tense would be used 'she knows'. In addition other varieties have
distinctive idioms which can enforce identity which arise because of cultural features. In
