7.3 World Englishes and Varieties

One Language, Many Voices

There is no single "correct" English, no pure, perfect, authoritative version that all other versions are corrupted copies of. This might surprise you if you've been taught that there's a "right" way to speak and write English. But linguists who study English professionally will tell you: what you call English depends on where you are. In London, you might ask for a "flat" and take the "lift." Walk those same streets and you'll hear accents ranging from posh Received Pronunciation to Cockney to Jamaican-influenced South London speech. Cross the Atlantic to New York, and you'd want an "apartment" and take the "elevator." You'd also hear different accents depending on which neighborhood you're in. Fly to Singapore, and someone might tell you a story is "very the good" and end sentences with particles like "lah" and "lor." In India, you might hear someone say they'll "prepone" a meeting (the opposite of postpone, a word that fills a useful gap English didn't have before) and suggest you "do one thing." In Nigeria, you might be told to "manage" when resources are limited. In Australia, you'd hear completely different slang and intonations.

These aren't mistakes or corruptions of "proper" English. They're varieties: distinct, systematic, rule-governed forms of English that have developed in different communities around the world over decades or centuries. Each variety has its own characteristic vocabulary, its own grammatical patterns, its own pronunciation features, and its own ways of expressing things. Each reflects the unique history and culture of its speakers, shaped by which languages English came into contact with, which colonial powers were present, which indigenous influences remained, and how the community used language to express its identity.

In this chapter, we'll explore the rich diversity of World Englishes. We'll look at the most familiar varieties, British and American English, but we'll also explore the fascinating Englishes that have developed in post-colonial contexts around the world. You'll gain appreciation for the creative, dynamic ways communities everywhere have made English their own, adapting it to their needs and infusing it with their culture.

British and American: The Big Two

British and American English are the two most familiar, most widely taught, and most influential varieties for most English learners around the world. When people think of "standard" English, they usually have one of these two varieties in mind. They differ in multiple ways: spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Neither is more correct than the other, though each has its champions and critics. Understanding their differences and similarities is useful for anyone who uses English internationally.

Spelling differences between British and American English are the most visible and most systematic. British English retains the "our" ending in words like "colour," "honour," "favour," and "labour" where American English has simplified to "or" as in "color," "honor," "favor," and "labor." British English uses "re" at the end of words like "centre" and "theatre" where American English uses "er" as in "center" and "theater." British English tends to double consonants more often, writing "travelling" and "cancelled" where American English writes "traveling" and "canceled." British English uses "ise" endings (organise, realise) where American English prefers "ize" (organize, realize). These differences trace back largely to Noah Webster, the American lexicographer who deliberately Americanized spelling in the early 1800s, partly for practical reasons but also as a nationalistic statement that American English should be distinct from British English.

Vocabulary differences are extensive. British "lorry" is American "truck." British "biscuit" is American "cookie." British "boot" (of a car) is American "trunk." British "pavement" is American "sidewalk." There are hundreds of such differences, enough to occasionally cause confusion.

Grammar shows subtle differences too. British English says "Have you got a pen?" while American English prefers "Do you have a pen?" British English uses present perfect more ("I've just eaten") where American English might use simple past ("I just ate"). British English treats collective nouns as plural ("The team are playing well") while American English treats them as singular ("The team is playing well").

Pronunciation varies significantly, but both regions contain many internal accents. There's no single "British accent" or "American accent," just clusters of regional and social varieties.

Post-Colonial Englishes

When the British Empire spread English around the world, it didn't stay the same. In each place, English mixed with local languages and adapted to local needs. The result is a fascinating array of distinctive Englishes.

Indian English has developed its own grammar and vocabulary. "Prepone" fills a gap that doesn't exist in British or American English, meaning to move something earlier. "Do one thing" doesn't literally mean perform one action; it's a conversation marker like "Listen." "What is your good name?" is a polite way to ask someone's name. The present continuous is used more broadly: "I am knowing him" rather than "I know him."

Nigerian English incorporates words from local languages and pidgins. "Chop" means to eat. "Dash" means to give as a gift. Family terminology reflects local kinship structures. Phrases like "senior brother" and "junior brother" distinguish what English simply calls "brother."

Singaporean English, or Singlish, mixes English with Chinese, Malay, and Tamil influences. Particles like "lah," "leh," and "lor" add nuance to sentences. "Can" alone can mean "Yes, that's possible." "Where got?" means "That's not true." Singlish is a full variety with its own grammar, not broken English.

These varieties are legitimate linguistic systems. They have consistent rules. They serve the communication needs of their communities. They're not failed attempts at British or American English.

Other Major Varieties

Beyond British, American, and post-colonial Englishes, other significant varieties have developed.

Australian English has its own distinct vocabulary. "Arvo" means afternoon. "Barbie" means barbecue. "Thongs" are flip-flops, not underwear. Australian pronunciation has characteristic patterns, and the variety includes various regional and social accents.

South African English reflects the country's complex linguistic landscape, with influences from Afrikaans, Zulu, and other languages. Words like "robot" (traffic light) and "shame" (used to express sympathy) are distinctively South African.

Irish English preserves features from the Irish language and historical forms of English. It has distinctive grammatical patterns like the "after" perfect ("I'm after eating" meaning "I have just eaten") and vocabulary from Irish.

Caribbean Englishes vary significantly across islands but share some features, often influenced by creole languages that developed during the colonial period. These varieties range along a continuum from standard English to creole.

Each variety carries the history and identity of its speakers. They're not corruptions of a "pure" English but natural developments as communities adapted the language to their needs.

Language Attitudes and Standards

Despite what linguists say about varieties being equally valid, people often have strong opinions. Some varieties are prestigious; others are stigmatized. These attitudes reflect social hierarchies, not linguistic facts.

In many contexts, British Received Pronunciation or American Standard English are considered "correct." Other accents and varieties may be seen as less educated or less professional. This leads to real disadvantages for speakers of stigmatized varieties.

But attitudes are changing. There's growing recognition that insisting on one "standard" advantages native speakers unfairly. International business increasingly values intelligibility over conformity to any particular variety. The goal becomes being understood, not sounding British or American.

Some scholars advocate for "English as a Lingua Franca" (ELF), arguing that in international contexts, what matters is effective communication, not matching native speaker norms. If non-native speakers understand each other using features that native speakers might consider "wrong," does that wrongness actually matter?

For learners, this raises practical questions. Should you aim to sound British? American? Or should you aim for clear international intelligibility while maintaining your own linguistic identity? There's no single right answer, and the best answer may depend on your goals and context.

Appreciating Diversity

The diversity of World Englishes is something to celebrate, not lament. Each variety carries culture, history, and creativity. When Indian speakers create "prepone" or Singaporeans use "lah," they're not corrupting English. They're enriching it.

This diversity also has practical implications for you. As someone who uses English internationally, you'll encounter many varieties. Being able to understand different accents and usages makes you a more effective communicator. Rigid insistence on one "correct" form can actually hamper communication.

It also raises questions about your own English. You're probably learning a variety that mixes British, American, and other influences. That's fine. Your English doesn't need to be "pure." What matters is that you can communicate effectively and develop confidence in your own voice.

There's also power in speaking English with an accent that marks your background. Your accent is part of your identity. While developing clear pronunciation is valuable for communication, you don't need to erase where you come from.

The future of English lies with its global speakers. As you learn and use English, you're participating in its ongoing evolution. The language belongs to all of us now.

Summary: The Many Englishes

You've explored the diversity of English varieties worldwide. Here are the key points:

British vs American:
Systematic differences in spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Both contain many internal regional varieties.

Post-Colonial Englishes:
Indian, Nigerian, Singaporean, and many other Englishes have developed distinct features reflecting local languages and cultures. These are legitimate varieties, not errors.

Other Varieties:
Australian, South African, Irish, Caribbean, and many more. Each carries history and identity.

Language Attitudes:
Some varieties are prestigious, others stigmatized. These attitudes reflect social hierarchies, not linguistic facts. International contexts increasingly value intelligibility over conformity.

For Learners:
Understand various varieties. Aim for clear communication. Develop your own confident voice.

Key Terms:
Variety, standard, accent, dialect, World Englishes, English as a Lingua Franca, intelligibility.