Purposive Communication

Varieties of English
 Varieties of English
World Englishes (WE) stands for the localized varieties of
English as they are used or spoken in certain areas. In the
Asian Context, the concept was introduced by Braj Kachru.
The famous "Three Concentric Circles of Asian Englishes”
attributed to Kachru presents the three circles: Inner Circle with ENL
(English as a Native Language) member countries, Outer Circle
with ESL (English as a Second Language) member countries, and
the Expanding Circle with EFL (English as a Foreign Language)
member countries.
 Three Concentric Circles:
Inner circle: Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada
Outer Circle: Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana,
Malaysia, Philippines, Tanzania, India, Nigeria, Singapore, Zambia
Expanding Circle: China, Indonesia, Korea, South Africa, CIS,
Caribbean Countries, Israel, Nepal, South America, Zimbabwe,
Egypt, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan
ODEL – Oxford Dictionary of English Language
- World Governing body
- 79 words everyday
Acrolect – Standard English
Basilect – Closest to pidgin
Mesolect – middle variety
- middle of standard and non-standard
- “edulect”, educated class
As regards structural variation, Kachru and Nelson (2006) claims that
these varieties of Englishes are influenced by the local language(s) in
various areas of their grammar and exhibit specific phonological,
lexical, syntactic, and discoursal characteristics.
Maria Lourdes Bautista’s monograph on Defining Standard
Philippine English: Its Status and Grammatical Features came out in
2000.

English – fastest growing language

Mandarin – largest language
Oxford – parents of English language
 Language Registers

David Crystal (2008), defines register as "a variety of language

defined according to its use in social situations e.g. a register of
scientific, religious, formal English. (p. 409).“
 Language Registers
It is to be noted that genre and register overlap and are sometimes
used interchangeably. According to Lee (2001), Genre is associated
more with the organization of culture, Register is associated with the
organization of the situation. To this end, a register is understood as
the context-specific variety of language to which the field–mode–
tenor framework is important.
 Language Registers
Field – analyzed in terms of the social setting and communicative
purposes
Tenor – described in terms of the role/s required of the writers and
readers.
Mode – explained in the light of the knowledge of other texts
required of speakers/listeners and writers/readers as regards the genre
including the formal text features.
Language register refers to the formality of language which one
speaks. Different registers are used in different situations. It is through
register that you are able to determine the kind of lexicon or
vocabulary to use as well as the kind of structure to be used. Even in
writing, you may use a formal or an informal register. In some
instances, even a neutral language register is identified. The formal
register then is used in formal speaking and writing situations.
The formal register is likewise appropriate, for use in professional
writing like project proposals, position papers, and business letters as
in the case of writing to a superior or to a head of a certain
organization. It is more impersonal, objective, and factual. Informal
register, which is more casual in tone, is appropriate for people with
whom you have established a more personal relationship as in the case
of friends and relatives. This type of writing may sometimes be
emotional as an intimate relationship exists between the speaker and
listener or writer and reader.
Legalese – legal language
Textese – language of text
Examples
British English American English
torch flashlight
caretaker janitor
catalogue catalog
biscuit cookie
defence defense
lift elevator
flat apartment
What is the difference
between Philippine
English and American
English?
Thank You!