World Englishes

It has been recognized that the Englishes spoken in the United Kingdom, the United States and
Cultivated Australian enjoy a standard status (Braj Kachru, 1992). Kachru identifies three groups:

Inner circle, including all countries with English as their official and first language: United States, United
Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, and some Caribbean territories.

Outer circle, including countries where English is an official language but not their first, they are creating
their own lexical terms and rules of grammar. Also called “New Englishes,” we can find Bangladesh,
India, Kenia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and Tanzania in this group.

Expanding circle, including countries that use English as a foreign language. English is used for specific
business or educational purposes but has no governmental role. Examples: China, Japan, Ecuador, etc.

There is, of course, not just one world English but many world Englishes as it is talked differently and
may have slightly different rules in various countries. All countries from the inner and expanding circles
use Standard English, while those in the outer circle use New Englishes.

The study of World Englishes is significant as it can teach us how languages evolve; also, they are
essential as they are part of the history, culture, and identity of many countries.

References

Burneo Rosario (2014). Culture and Literature in English Speaking Communities. Didactic guide. UTPL,
Loja, Ecuador.

Pope, R. (2012). Studying English Literature and Language: An Introduction and Companion. New York:
Rutledge.