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
(Norm Dependent)
China, Egypt, Indonesia,
Israel, Japan, Korea, Nepal,
Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia,
Zimbabwe, South Africa,
Caribbean Islands
(EFL)
The Outer Circle
(Norm Developing) The Inner Circle
Bangladesh, India Ghana, (Norm Providing)
Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia,
USA, UK, Canada,
Pakistan, Philippines,
Australia, New
Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Zealand
Tanzania, Zambia
(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