David Crystal - World Englishes

Key Concepts

• Englishes (plural): The concept that English is not a monolithic entity but rather a collection of diverse, localized varieties.
• Adaptation of English: The process by which countries adopting English modify it to reflect their local culture, history, and interests.
• Loanwords/Borrowed words: Words adopted from local languages into the English spoken in a particular region.
• Cultural Specificity: The influence of local culture on the vocabulary and usage of English, making it potentially difficult for outsiders to understand.
• Idioms: Culturally specific expressions whose meaning is not deducible from the literal definitions of the words.

The Future of Englishes

The core argument is that English, as a global language, is evolving into numerous "Englishes," each reflecting the unique cultural context of its speakers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the plural "Englishes" to acknowledge the diverse forms the language takes worldwide.

Adaptation and Localization

When a country adopts English, it immediately adapts it to suit its circumstances. Language exists to talk about what we want to talk about, including local interests, history, and events. This adaptation shapes and pushes English in new directions.

The Rapid Development of New Varieties

The development of new English varieties happens quickly. The example of American English is used, noting that within weeks of English settlers arriving in America in the 1600s, new words related to the local environment (plants, animals, indigenous people) began appearing in letters back to Britain (e.g., "moccasin," "wigwam," "squall," "skunk").

Vocabulary as a Key Indicator

Adaptation primarily manifests in vocabulary. The Dictionary of South African English contains 10,000 words unique to South Africa and surrounding regions. This illustrates how loanwords from local languages make these Englishes difficult for outsiders to understand.

Example: The speaker recounts his experience in South Africa, encountering the word "robot" used to mean "traffic light." This highlights how cultural context is crucial for understanding localized English.

Cultural Influence and Understanding

Every country in the world with English as a first, second, or privileged foreign language is developing a culturally influenced variety. This is also happening in Serbia. Serbian English is the English used when talking about Serbia, which may be difficult for outsiders to understand due to unfamiliar cultural references.

Examples of Cultural Specificity

The speaker provides examples of British English idioms that rely on cultural knowledge:

• "It was like Clapham Junction in there": This idiom refers to the chaotic nature of Clapham Junction railway station in London. Understanding the idiom requires knowing the station's reputation.

The speaker challenges the audience to consider the Serbian equivalent of "Clapham Junction" or a similar culturally specific expression. He also notes that political nicknames and references to specific places within a city can be incomprehensible to outsiders.

Example: The speaker uses "I'm going down to Soho" to illustrate how the addition of "down" implies a specific intention (visiting the sex shops in Soho), which requires cultural knowledge of London.

Conclusion

Every aspect of a culture (myths, legends, flora, fauna, food, folklore, songs, dances, politics, institutions) influences the English spoken within that culture. This creates a unique flavor that may or may not be understood by those outside the culture. The main takeaway is that English is not a monolithic entity but a collection of diverse, evolving varieties shaped by local cultures.