Varieties of English
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the different types of language varieties and language registers
2. Discuss the types of language varieties and types of registers
3. Differentiate British to American English
In this module, the following topics will be discussed:
1. Types of language varieties
2. Types of registers
3. British and American English
Types of Varieties
Pidgin
Different language but need to communicate
“lexifier” source (Nigerian Pidgin)
Creole
It has its own grammatical rule creole
Full range of functions (Hawaii Creole English)
Regional Dialect
Spoken in a particular area of a country (Hillbilly English from Appalachians in the USA
Minority Dialect
Dialect of minority groups (African American Vernacular English, London Jamican in
London
Indigenized Varieties
Spoken mainly as second language in ex colonies with multilingual populations (Singlish,
Korlish, etc)
World Englishes/Varieties
Many varieties of English are found across the globe.
Kachru (1992) has classified these varieties as those
used in the ‘inner circle’, the ‘outer circle’, and the
‘expanding circle’.
The Expanding Circle The Outer Circle
(Norm Dependent) (Norm Developing) The Inner Circle
China, Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India Ghana, (Norm Providing)
Israel, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia,
USA, UK, Canada,
Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia, Pakistan, Philippines,
Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, New
Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Caribbean Islands Zealand
Tanzania, Zambia
(EFL) (ESL)
Language Register
Refers to the formality of language which one speak
Determined by different factors: social occasion, context, purpose and audience
Frozen
Static register/ Historic language
Bible; United States Constitution
Formal
Used in professional, academic or legal settings
TED Talk; Encyclopedia
Casual
Used with friends, close acquaintances, co-workers & family
Birthday party, Backyard BBQ
Intimate
Reserved for special occasion
Between two people
Consultative
Conversation with someone with specialized knowledge (offers advice)
Doctor, professor, etc.
Types of Registers (English.com)
Formal
o Professional writings
Business Letter Reports Announcements
Essay Speeches Professional Emails
Informal
o Conversational and intimate
o Friends, etc.
Personal Mails Phone Texts Short Notes
Friendly Letters Blogs Diaries & Journals
Neutral
o Non-emotional and stick to facts
o Technical writing
Reviews Articles Letters
Technical Writing Essays
British Vs. American English
American English British English
Differences... Center Centre
1. Grammatical Differences Color Colour
2. Differences in Spelling Tire Tyre
Mom Mum
3. Differences in Pronunciation
Aluminum Aluminium
4. Lexical Differences