Varieties of Standard English Rubén Salinas Fritz Paradigmas Lingüísticos October 20th

The term “standard” is associated to “educated” people It is used to be taught to EFL/ESL students. The term “standard” refers to grammar and vocabulary, not accent.

Which one of the following examples is Standard English? I haven’t got any I ain’t got none I haven’t got a bloody clue I ain’t got no idea

Worldwide, British English is the standard variety of English taught in universities and institutions RP (Received Pronunciation) is the most prestigious variety in the Commonwealth, and it’s spoken in the BBC, public schools and upper-middle and upper classes.

North American English is also taught widely as a standard variety in many countries. Universities from all over the world are beginning to make flexible the standard language taught.

Teachers need to be aware of different varieties in order to present one or two standard variety and asses their students to be able to understand two or more models.

The spread of English. English comes from the Germanic family: Jutes, Angles, Saxons and Frisians By the Middle Ages, English had replaced Celtic language from the island. The only languages which come from Celtic roots are Gaelic Scotish and Welsh.

In 1800, almost the whole UK, Australia, New Zeland, India, Caribbean Islands, North America, South Africa and the Falkland Islands were colonized by England, so English was imposed in all continents. In terms of pronunciation, all these countries have their special accent and phonetic rules.

The RP Accent It was born in the south east of England. Advantages: It is not a regional accent, so it can be found in many parts of England. Also, it is used in mass media, so ESL students will have more chances to listen to it.

Disadvantages: It’s only used by 3% or 5% of the population of England. It’s a social accent, in consequence, it is considered to be the upper class accent. Finally, this accent has many phonological rules, harder to acquire than, e.g., Scotish English.

RP vowels and diphtongs: i: ɪ e æ ɑ : ɒ ɔ : u: ʊ ʌ ɜ : ə ə ʊ a ɪ ə a ʊ ə e ɪ a ʊ a ɪ ʊ ə e ə o ɪ ɪ ə

RP phenomenon: Vowels ʊ ə  ɔ : Sure Smoothing: a ʊ ə  ɑ : Tower Fronted U: u:  ʉ : Boot e ə  ɜ : Pair j ommision: Super

Near-RP accent: Vowels Final i: : Happy Difference: ɑ : and æ  Pam /Palm Lack of ʌ  But, Put

RP phenomenon: Consonants Dark L [ ɫ ]  Hill, Jail Glottal stop [ ʔ ]  Better, Fit Non Rothic  Far Linking R  Far away Intrusive R  Draw up

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