David Crystal - World Englishes

Summary

The talk 'The Future of Englishes' explores the evolution of English as a global language, adapting to local cultures and contexts. It emphasizes the rapid development of new English varieties, such as American English, which emerged within weeks of settlers' arrival in the 1600s. The speaker illustrates this with examples like 'robot' in South African English, which actually means 'traffic light.' The discussion highlights the importance of understanding local expressions and vocabulary, which can differ significantly from traditional English, even for native speakers.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The term 'Englishes' acknowledges the plural nature of the English language as it adapts to different regions and cultures around the world.
• 🌱 When English is adopted by a new region, it quickly evolves to reflect local interests, history, and circumstances, showcasing the dynamic nature of language.
• 📚 The adaptation of English is not a new phenomenon; it has been happening since the language's early spread, such as in the case of American English developing after the settlers' arrival in the 1600s.
• 🚀 The development of a new variety of English can occur rapidly, sometimes within weeks, as seen with the early settlers in America who quickly incorporated new terms into their correspondence.
• 🌿 Vocabulary is a primary area where the influence of local culture is seen in the English language, with examples like 'moccasin' and 'Wigwam' entering American English.
• 📖 There are specialized dictionaries for regional Englishes, such as the Dictionary of South African English, which includes 10,000 words unique to South Africa.
• 🤖 The script illustrates the concept of a 'robot' in South African English, which is a traffic light, highlighting how local terminology can confuse even native English speakers.
• 🌍 The global spread of English leads to the incorporation of loan words from other languages, making the English of a region distinct and sometimes difficult for outsiders to understand.
• 🏛️ Cultural references in English, such as 'Clapham Junction' in British English, can be confusing without knowledge of the local context, emphasizing the importance of cultural literacy.
• 🇷🇸 The concept of 'Serbian English' is introduced, suggesting that it would contain culturally specific terms and expressions that are unique to Serbia and its people.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the talk?

The main topic of the talk is the future of 'Englishes' and the development of different varieties of English as it becomes a global language.

Why do new varieties of English emerge when it is adopted by different countries?

New varieties of English emerge because each country adapts the language to suit its local circumstances, reflecting local interests, history, and culture.

How quickly did American English begin to develop after the first settlers arrived in America?

American English began to develop within weeks of the first settlers' arrival, as they started to describe new experiences and objects using new words.

What is an example of a word that came into American English due to the settlers' encounters with new experiences?

Words like 'moccasin', 'wigwam', 'squall', and 'skunk' came into American English as the settlers encountered new animals, plants, and cultures.

How does the adaptation of English by different countries primarily manifest?

The adaptation primarily manifests in the vocabulary, with countries incorporating local words and expressions that may not be understood by speakers of other varieties of English.

What is an example of a culturally specific term from South African English?

A culturally specific term from South African English is 'robot', which refers to a traffic light, a meaning that is not shared with other varieties of English.

Why might a native English speaker from one country not understand English spoken in another country?

A native English speaker might not understand English spoken in another country due to the use of culturally specific vocabulary, idioms, and expressions that are unique to that country's variety of English.

What is an example of a culturally specific British English idiom mentioned in the script?

An example of a culturally specific British English idiom is 'it was like Clapham Junction in there', which means it was very chaotic and busy.

What does the term 'Clapham Junction' refer to in the context of the British idiom?

In the context of the British idiom, 'Clapham Junction' refers to a railway station in London known for its complexity and the chaos that can ensue for travelers trying to navigate it.

How does the speaker suggest that English will continue to evolve globally?

The speaker suggests that English will continue to evolve globally as it is influenced by the cultures of the countries that adopt it, creating new varieties that reflect local customs, politics, and experiences.

What is the implication of the speaker's statement about 'Serbian English'?

The implication of the statement about 'Serbian English' is that just as English has developed unique characteristics in other countries, it will also develop a Serbian flavor that reflects Serbia's culture and experiences.