Standard English Dialect

Standard English Standard English DialectDialect

A Variety of EnglishA Variety of English

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OverviewOverview

Definitions of Standard English.Definitions of Standard English.

A brief history of Standard English.A brief history of Standard English.

Issues and implications of Standard Issues and implications of Standard

English for teachers and students.English for teachers and students.

Conclusions.Conclusions.

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Definitions of Standard EnglishPeter Trudgill University of Lausanne www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/dick/SEtrudgill.htm

Standard English is the variety of English normally used in writing, and is the variety taught to non native learners.

It is the variety associated with the education system in all English speaking countries.

It is agreed that Standard English has nothing to do with pronunciation. In Britain Received Pronunciation (RP) is a purely social accent.

It is fairly common for a speaker to use Standard English and deliver it with a regional, and national accent.

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A Brief History of Standard English

www.bbc.co.uk/voices Language and Time by Prof. David Crystal

The Middle Ages: Britain was multilingual: Latin, French, English coexisted. There were hundreds of dialects and regional accents. This is the only period in the history of English when

regional variation was reflected in the written language so widely and so unselfconsciously.

There was no inferiority associated with dialect variation even in Shakespeare’s time.

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The Eighteenth Century

Class distinction through speech and accent became very important.

Class divisions in British society got wider and contrasts with urban and rural dialects became increasingly polarized.

Writers were advising the ‘provincials’ to adopt the London accent. This accent was named Received Pronunciation (now referred to as RP).

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Issues and implications of Standard English for ESOL Issues and implications of Standard English for ESOL

teachers and students.teachers and students. Issues and implications in writing.Issues and implications in writing.

Peter TrudgillPeter Trudgill,, University of LausanneUniversity of Lausanne

►From an educational point of view, From an educational point of view, the position of Standard English as the position of Standard English as the dialect of English used in the dialect of English used in writing is unassailable.writing is unassailable.

David Crystal David Crystal in Discover Grammar.in Discover Grammar. You need to learn Standard English You need to learn Standard English

grammar forms, especially when you grammar forms, especially when you write, if you want to be a part of the write, if you want to be a part of the wider community.wider community.

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Issues and implications of pronunciationIssues and implications of pronunciationJeremy Harmer – The Practice of English Language Jeremy Harmer – The Practice of English Language

TeachingTeaching We should expose students to different We should expose students to different

language varieties in listening (and language varieties in listening (and reading) texts. reading) texts.

Meryl WilkinsMeryl Wilkins - ‘ - ‘Teaching pronunciation to bilingual adults resident in Teaching pronunciation to bilingual adults resident in Britain.’Britain.’

There is an assumption that one accent is superior to There is an assumption that one accent is superior to all others…we need to show students an awareness of all others…we need to show students an awareness of the variety of accent to be met amongst native English the variety of accent to be met amongst native English speakers.speakers.

There is an assumption that it is ‘bad’ to have an There is an assumption that it is ‘bad’ to have an accent. It is important students do not lose confidence accent. It is important students do not lose confidence and pride in the way they speak.and pride in the way they speak.

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ConclusionsConclusions Standard English is a variety of English.Standard English is a variety of English.

Standard English refers to the use of certain Standard English refers to the use of certain grammatical rules and the use of certain vocabulary grammatical rules and the use of certain vocabulary items.items.

Standard English is associated with an accent called Standard English is associated with an accent called Received Pronunciation and is based on social class not Received Pronunciation and is based on social class not on geographical origins of the speaker. on geographical origins of the speaker.

Standard English is important for all ESOL students to Standard English is important for all ESOL students to understand what Standard English is and the importance understand what Standard English is and the importance in learn.in learn.

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To use Standard English you do not To use Standard English you do not have to speak RP.have to speak RP.

It is important for all students to It is important for all students to understand what Standard English is understand what Standard English is and how to use it.and how to use it.

Acknowledge that a good grasp of Acknowledge that a good grasp of Standard English gives students a Standard English gives students a great advantage in for example, great advantage in for example, exams and interviews.exams and interviews.

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