International English by David Crystal [EXTRA] [HOMEWORK] Flashcards
- How clear is the term ‘International English’ in David Crystal’s view?
Well, it’s not ‘very clear’ David Crystal says. David Crystal gives examples that fit into this term such as ‘group of businessmen using English as a lingua franca in their meetings to casual encounters in hotels.’ The term encapsulates many different meanings in different contexts.
- What problem does he argue is facing the concept that English or American English is a clear, single global language?
The problem is that people having a one-minded view of seeing English or American English as the only two correct varieties. David Crystal questions how is a person able to ‘take these varieties seriously when you have a stubborn opposition?’ Speaking about non-American or British English speakers outweigh the speakers of British/American speakers.
- Crystal refers to some researchers who refer to ‘Globlish’. What is this?
A Globalist which is a blended term of Global + English that is being described as a certain set of grammatical rules, vocabulary and with the reason of development being the motive. The term is for people who try to define terms such as International English, International Standard English or World Standard English in ‘fixed international encounters.’
- What example does he give of an example of the use of English which does not match Standard English or American and what problem does he say faces researchers with examples like this, in terms of the conclusions they can draw from these examples
Crystal uses the countable and uncountable grammar rule as an example for speakers who add the suffix ‘s’ to uncountable nouns i.e. information(s) in lingua franca settings. The conclusions are often left difficult or vague with questions yet to be solved. In terms of the error of pluralising uncountable nouns, often it is difficult to determine how many speakers make this error without being generalised. David Crystal cites research VOICE CORPUs that found that the error is not as common.
- What does Crystal argue about the importance of ‘functionality’ and the range or amount of vocabulary a learner of a new language needs to learn?
To David Crystal all that matters to be able to communicate with another language speaker. It isn’t necessary to have a ‘cultural background’ of a language from a child, it is not ‘relevant.’ We use languages such as English to interact with other people in far more necessary ways. The range of vocabulary a learner of a new language depends on the goals of the learner. Do they want to be as good NS? David Crystal estimates 5,000, 10,000 or 15,000 is enough for the necessary grammatical constructions, orthology, writing and pronunciation that the language has.
- What does the interviewer argue is an injustice about the term ‘native speaker’ of English?
Done.
There is a bias towards NL keynote speakers who get invited more than those who are FLS
- What is Crystal’s argument against the position of the ‘imperial legacy’ of English, put forward by theorists such as Phillipson? Done.
Crystal argues that ‘imperial legacy’ is not what is driving the globalisation of English but rather the economic reasons. Those who are choosing to learn English are doing so to get a better quality of life for themselves.
- What does Crystal suggest is the impact of the internet on perceptions of English and identity?
The Internet has assumed users an anonymous character. David Crystal cites a chat room where there are English languages however it is indistinguishable to label them as native or non-native if they send a message which includes a non-standard form. Therefore, it is difficult to identify their level of English from that interaction as simply being a mistake, speaking a local variety or if they’re unaware of the grammar rule.
In terms of Identity, the Internet is a place for people to congregate in a ‘global Internet community’ as David Crystal describes it. What this allows is for people to acquire different identities to the languages they choose to interact with. Ethnic origin is no longer of being an importance when it comes to the Internet where according to Crystal there are young people labelling themselves as ‘online.’
This idea of “online” creates a large layer of flexibility for young people who use the Internet as a tool to be able to interact with other cultures and languages. Young people can assume these “online identities according to the culture that they want to be part of.
Teacher, Mrs Doran: Intelligibility can judge someone based on the way they speak.
- What does Crystal argue is helpful about Steiner’s term ‘extra-territorial’?
Crystal argues that he is a ‘citizen of the world’ to this term. He values extra-territorial that are unable to answer the question ‘Who are you?’ because of their mobility around the world or the languages and culture they’ve been brought up with.
Steiner (1976) agrees and coins the term ‘linguistic unhousedness’ when David Crystal describe how man has become aware of his own ‘linguisticality, as tee cultural characteristic of his species.’ The term if we break it down linguistically we are a given a sense of no sense of belonging because there are multiple area to be and exist. There is mobility, no restriction which mean there is freedom. ‘House’ the concrete noun is used because it is a ‘place’ that bears no personal ties as opposed to ‘home’ where one feels connected. A house just contains thing, whereas a home has value.
- What is your own view on the future of English internationally?
improve their quality of life. I have an app on my phone called HelloTalk that has millions of speakers that want to learn English that come from all around the world. I’ve had a chance to talk to speakers from Spain, Japan, France and Germany. Almost all the speakers I’ve talked to said that they want to be able to speak English at a good level to be able to move to an English- speaking country. Or acquire a job that requires you to speak English. The minority wanted to learn English for the culture. Beside the point, it seems that English is a language that is needed to progress further in life.
I don’t think here other languages such as Chinese which despite having more speakers will surpass English. Purely because it hasn’t had that same “imperial legacy” that English has had. The legacy has allowed English to leave its footprint and spread. Unlike China despite acquiring a high rate of Chinese speakers which is mostly due to the high birth rate that the country has. It hasn’t had the same legacy of English to leave it’s footprint and spread. However, that is estimation perhaps Chinese is globalising due to its significant importance in Economy now.
How did other people view the future of International English?
- Prestige
- Business/Work/Internet
- Adapted and Enriched
- Not economically needed because of the Internet.
