Kahrylle Francheska M.

Mansubre AB English Language 1A

Activity 1-B. Differentiate: dialect vs register; standard language vs standard English

Dialect vs. Register

A dialect is a variety of a language that’s utilized by a specific place or by a
particular social group, while a register is a variety of a language utilized for specific
purposes or under specific circumstances.

Standard language vs. Standard English

Standard language is an official form of language that is used in formal and official
contexts, such as in newspapers or public speeches. It can be categorized as a "language
norm" since it is most widely accepted though not quite widely used. Whereas standard
English is the form of the English language that is widely accepted as the usual correct
form. It abides to fixed academic grammar, spelling, and the usage of norms in written
and spoken contexts – minimizing nonstandard dialectal variation.

Activity 2. Below are examples of two varieties of English that focus on expressions.
Classify them accordingly and write them under the correct column. Note that some terms
from the list are used by both varieties.

American English British English

1. Underground economy 1. Black economy
2. Counterclockwise 2. Anticlockwise
3. Checking account 3. Current account
4. Housing development 4. Housing estate
5. Elementary school 5. Junior school
6. Labor union 6. Trade union
7. Expiration date 7. Expiry date
8. Garbage 8. Rubbish
9. Parentheses 9. Brackets
10. Drunk driving 10. Drink driving
11. Driver’s license 11. Driving license
12. Two weeks 12. Fortnight
13. Raincoat 13. Mackintosh
14. Liability insurance 14. Third-party insurance
15. Whiskey 15. Whisky
Activity 3. Explain briefly and clearly the spread and growth of the English language
through Braj Kachru’s model.

Braj Kachru classified different speakers through his proposed three circles of
English. Firstly, the inner circle, it’s comprised of native speakers whose primary language
is English. These are places where norms are created and eventually spread onto other
circles. Some places include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Secondly, the outer circle, it’s made up of speakers who have non-native varieties of
English use alongside their native official languages. The speakers of these places are
the ones who test norms and develop them. Some places that belong to this circle are
Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Lastly, the expanding circle, this consists of speakers
where English is not usually spoken. These are speakers of other languages in places
where English is not the official language but is increasingly used for special purposes or
take on significant roles such as commercial, technical, or cultural.

Activity 4. The history of English since 1800 has been “a story of expansion.” Discuss
briefly “the story” behind this expansion and cite a concrete example/s.

The eighteenth century was a time of profound and accelerated change, from the
British colonization and empire-building to American activities in world affairs, that may
as well led the broadened use of the language to distinctive speakers and its purposes.
Ultimately, English had spread more around the world. However, despite its vast
geographical spread, English in all its extensive national varieties has remained
remarkably uniform as one language with two national varieties (American and British).
Such that, from native speakers to those who consider English as a foreign language can
all recognize that English and its significance derives entirely from the fact that it is useful
to people everywhere, regardless of their native tongue – stabilizing its prominence as a
global language. What’s more is that many also consider English as a language that plays
significant roles in things commercial, technical, or cultural. Furthermore, the occurrence
of industrialization, urbanization, the advent of new technology, and new scientific
discoveries, has necessitated the use of neologisms to label these novel inventions and
discoveries that also led new terminologies in the language as well its expansion onto
other countries.
Sources:
https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/history_late_modern.html
https://public.oed.com/blog/nineteenth-century-english-an-overview/

Activity 5. What are your key takeaways from this lesson?

My key takeaways for this lesson is that due to events that occurred such as the
industrial revolution, scientific advancements and colonialism, English was able to further
prosper as a global language. Thus, the Late Modern period can be considered as
another beginning rather than an end for developments of the language English. Since a
language will constantly evolve as long as its speakers are flourishing and adapting to
change in ways that are able to reflect their lives, experiences and cultures.