Global English Flashcards
What is Global English?
The worldwide use of English as a dominant or shared language for communication, influenced by history, trade, and globalisation.
What is a Lingua Franca?
A language used for communication between speakers of different native languages, with English being the most common globally.
How did British colonialism contribute to the spread of English?
The British Empire established English as the administrative, legal, and educational language in many territories, leaving a lasting linguistic legacy.
What role does American influence play in Global English?
The USA spreads English through media, technology, business, and culture, reinforcing its global status.
What is Kachru’s Three Circles Model?
A model describing English in three categories:
• Inner Circle (e.g., UK, USA) – native speakers
• Outer Circle (e.g., India, Nigeria) – second language speakers due to colonial history
• Expanding Circle (e.g., China, Russia) – English used as a foreign language
Kachru’s Three Circles Model – Evaluation
Strengths:
• Highlights the spread of English beyond native-speaking countries.
• Recognises English’s varied roles (e.g., native, second, or foreign language).
• Clear and simple categorisation makes it easy to understand.
Weaknesses:
• The boundaries between circles are blurred—many countries don’t fit neatly into one category.
• Assumes that Inner Circle English is the norm, reinforcing a hierarchy.
• Ignores how English varieties influence each other (e.g., how Outer Circle English impacts Inner Circle English).
• Doesn’t account for multilingualism, where English coexists with other dominant languages.
What is the impact of globalisation on English?
English has become dominant in business, education, and technology, leading to language change and variation worldwide.
What is English as a Pidgin?
A simplified form of English that develops for communication between speakers of different languages, often in trade or colonisation contexts.
What is a Creole?
A stable, fully developed language that evolves from a pidgin when passed to future generations, e.g., Jamaican Patois.
How has technology influenced Global English?
The internet, social media, and digital communication spread English phrases, slang, and grammar globally.
What are some concerns about English as a global language?
- Loss of indigenous languages
- Linguistic imperialism
- Cultural erosion
- Power imbalances in
communication
Schneider’s Dynamic Model of Postcolonial Englishes:
A five-stage model explaining how English develops in postcolonial countries.
What are the five stages of Schneider’s Dynamic Model?
- Foundation
- Exonormative Stabilisation
- Nativisation
- Endonormative Stabilisation
- Differentiation
What happens in the Foundation stage?
English is introduced through colonisation, with minimal influence on indigenous languages.
What happens in the Exonormative Stabilisation stage?
English is used for administration and education, but locals still follow the norms of the colonising country.
What happens in the Nativisation stage?
English starts blending with local languages, leading to new structures, accents, and vocabulary.
What happens in the Endonormative Stabilisation stage?
A distinct variety of English develops, gaining local prestige and becoming a national identity marker.
What happens in the Differentiation stage?
The local variety diversifies further, creating regional dialects and sociolects within the country.
Can you give an example of a country following Schneider’s Model?
Singapore in Schneider’s Dynamic Model:
- Foundation: English introduced during British colonisation for administration.
- Exonormative Stabilisation: English used with British norms in government and education.
- Nativisation: English mixed with local languages like Malay and Mandarin, creating unique features.
- Endonormative Stabilisation: Singapore English (Singlish) developed as a distinct local variety.
- Differentiation: Various versions of English appeared, influenced by class, education, and ethnicity.
Schneider’s Dynamic Model – Evaluation
Strengths:
• Explains the gradual evolution of English in postcolonial settings.
• Recognises the role of local languages in shaping new English varieties.
• Accounts for historical, social, and political influences on language change.
• Can be applied to many countries, making it a flexible model.
Weaknesses:
• Assumes that all countries follow the same linear progression, which is not always true.
• Overlooks external influences (e.g., globalisation, digital communication).
• Some countries do not reach the final stage (e.g., in nations where English remains a second language rather than a fully localised variety).
What is World English?
The different forms of English spoken in countries around the world, shaped by local cultures and languages.
Example: Indian English, Nigerian English, or Singlish.
What is International English?
A standard form of English used around the world for communication, without strong regional accents or words.
Example: English used in international news or global companies.
