Summary
Highlights
World Englishes (WE) refers to the diverse ways English is used globally. Braj Kachru introduced the concept, categorizing English varieties into three concentric circles: the inner circle (native English-speaking countries like the US, UK), the outer circle (countries where English is a second language, e.g., Singapore, Philippines), and the expanding circle (countries where English is a foreign language, e.g., China, Japan). Countries in the outer and expanding circles are often former colonies, resulting in 'post-colonial' English.
Bautista and Gonzalez (2006) note that new English varieties have distinct structures due to learners' non-English linguistic backgrounds. Social characteristics also differ, with a continuum of basilectal, mesolectal, and acrolectal English within speech communities. Edulects describe these variations based on education types and social classes.
Kachru and Nelson (2006) explain that local languages influence the grammar of different English varieties. These include unique phonological, lexical, syntactic, and discursive features. Examples include syllable-timed rhythm in outer and expanding circles, rather than stress-timed, and differences in pronouncing voiced/voiceless explosives. Syntactically, there are different question-answer systems; inner circle varieties use a positive-negative system, while others use an agreement-disagreement system, leading to potential communication difficulties without clarification.
The video provides examples of unique vocabulary in Southeast Asian English dialects. Singapore English includes 'axi' (show off), 'missy' (nurse), and 'graduate mothers' (highly educated women with privileges). Philippine English features 'deep' (puristic), 'stick' (cigarette), 'high blood' (tense), and 'motel' (for affairs). Malaysian English has 'antilog' (male hated by a girl), 'popcorn' (talkative person), and 'kachang' (easy).
Bautista's 2000 book, 'Defining Standard Philippine English: Its Status and Grammatical Features,' addresses questions about whether there's a standard Philippine English and when a mistake becomes part of the local variety. She affirms that Philippine English is a legitimate form, akin to Indian, Singaporean, and Nigerian English, possessing its own distinct grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.