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.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Evolution and Localization of English

The speaker discusses the concept of 'Englishes', emphasizing that English does have a plural form, which reflects the language's evolution into various forms as it becomes global. English adapts to local contexts, allowing people to discuss local interests and history. The speaker illustrates this with the example of American English, which began developing shortly after settlers arrived in America, incorporating new words to describe the new environment. The process of adaptation is rapid, and different countries that adopt English start to shape it to fit their own cultural and linguistic needs, leading to the creation of unique vocabularies and expressions.

05:04

📚 The Influence of Culture on English Vocabulary

This paragraph delves into how English vocabulary is enriched by loanwords from other languages as it spreads to new regions. The speaker uses the example of South African English, which includes 10,000 words unique to the region, borrowed from local languages and reflecting the area's culture. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about the word 'robot' in South African English, which actually means a traffic light, highlighting the cultural specificity of vocabulary. The speaker also discusses how English speakers from different regions use culturally specific expressions that may be confusing to outsiders, and how this phenomenon is not limited to non-native speakers but applies to native speakers encountering regional Englishes as well.

Keywords

💡Englishes

The term 'Englishes' refers to the various forms and dialects of the English language that have developed around the world. It is plural and acknowledges the diversity and evolution of English as it adapts to different cultures and regions. In the video, the speaker emphasizes that English does not have a single, unchanging form but rather exists in multiple versions, each with its own unique characteristics, reflecting the local context in which it is spoken.

💡Global Language

A 'global language' is a language that is spoken and understood by a large number of people across different countries and cultures. English, as discussed in the video, has become a global language due to its widespread use in international communication, business, and education. The video highlights how the adoption of English by various countries leads to its adaptation and the development of new varieties of the language.

💡Adaptation

Adaptation in the context of the video refers to the process by which a language changes to suit the needs and cultural context of the people who speak it. As English spreads globally, it is adapted to reflect local interests, history, and circumstances. The video provides examples of how English words and expressions are modified or created to describe new experiences and phenomena encountered in different parts of the world.

💡Cultural Influence

Cultural influence is the impact that a culture has on the language, customs, and practices of another. In the video, the speaker discusses how the English language is influenced by the cultures of the countries where it is spoken, leading to the creation of culturally specific expressions and vocabulary. This cultural influence is what makes each variety of English unique and reflective of its local context.

💡Loan Words

Loan words are terms borrowed from one language into another. The video script mentions that as English is adopted by different countries, it incorporates loan words from the local languages, enriching the vocabulary and making the English spoken in that region distinct. This phenomenon is exemplified by the inclusion of words like 'moccasin' and 'squall' in American English.

💡American English

American English refers to the variety of English spoken in the United States. The video discusses how American English developed quickly after the arrival of settlers in America, with new words being coined to describe the new environment and experiences. The development of American English is used as an example of how rapidly a new variety of English can emerge when the language is introduced to a new cultural context.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the set of words and phrases that make up a language. The video emphasizes that vocabulary is a primary way in which English adapts to different cultures. As English spreads, it absorbs new words from the local languages, creating a unique vocabulary for each variety of English. The script provides the example of the South African English dictionary, which contains 10,000 words unique to South Africa.

💡Cultural Specificity

Cultural specificity refers to the unique aspects of a culture that are reflected in its language, expressions, and practices. The video script illustrates how English, when spoken in different parts of the world, takes on cultural specificity, making it unfamiliar to speakers of other varieties of English. Examples from the script include the use of the word 'robot' to mean 'traffic light' in South African English and the idiomatic expression 'Clapham Junction' in British English.

💡Idiom

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words but must be understood through its usage in a particular language or culture. The video uses the example of 'Clapham Junction' as an idiom in British English, which refers to a chaotic and busy situation. Idioms are a form of cultural specificity in language and can be confusing for speakers of other varieties of English.

💡Serbian English

Serbian English is a hypothetical term used in the video to illustrate how English might be adapted to reflect the culture, history, and local interests of Serbia. The speaker suggests that Serbian English would include culturally specific vocabulary and expressions that are unique to Serbia, making it distinct from other varieties of English.

Highlights

The talk discusses the future of Englishes, emphasizing the plural form's legitimacy due to the language's global evolution.

English adapts to local circumstances as it becomes a global language, reflecting local interests and history.

Language exists to facilitate discussions on topics of local relevance, such as in Serbia or other countries.

Countries that adopt English start shaping it to suit their unique cultural and historical contexts.

The development of American English began with the settlers' need to describe new experiences and items, like 'moccasin' and 'Wigwam'.

New varieties of English can develop rapidly, within weeks, as seen with the early settlers in America.

Modern English is developing globally, with each country adapting the language to fit their cultural context.

Adaptation of English is primarily seen in vocabulary, with some countries having thousands of unique words.

The Dictionary of South African English contains 10,000 words unique to South Africa, demonstrating local adaptation.

Cultural misunderstandings can occur when unfamiliar terms, like 'robot' for traffic light in South African English, are used.

English speakers globally encounter new varieties that can be difficult to understand due to cultural-specific vocabulary.

The concept of 'Serbian English' is introduced, suggesting a unique adaptation of English influenced by Serbian culture.

Cultural expressions from British English, like 'Clapham Junction', may not be understood outside the UK.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding local cultural references in English to avoid misunderstandings.

The talk highlights the rapid and continuous evolution of English varieties around the world, influenced by local culture.

The speaker shares personal experiences of encountering culturally specific English expressions during global travels.

The talk concludes by emphasizing the diversity and richness of English as it adapts to different cultural landscapes.

Transcripts

[Music]

well the talk was called as you probably

heard the future of

englishes and the important thing is

that es ending at the end there you know

don't fall into a trap of thinking as

some people do around the world there is

no such word you know English does not

have a plural oh yes it does English is

is very definitely around and that word

came into being about 10 or 15 years ago

really um to reflect the reality of what

happens when English becomes a global

language because what does happen you

know as a country takes up the English

language and adopts it it immediately

adapts it to suit its circumstances

because what is language for language

exists in order for us to talk about

what we want to talk about so what do

you want to talk about well anything I

suppose the whole world but you

especially want to talk about what's

happening in Serbia or whoever's

watching this your country and therefore

you want to have an English that

actually reflects your local interests

your history the things that happen

around you all the things that you would

naturally do in your own language if

you're learning another language as an

international language then you want to

be able to talk in that language as well

and so what is happening in English as

it goes around the world becomes Global

is that the different countries that

have adopted it immediately start to

make it their own they start to shape it

and push it in a direction it never was

in before now this has happened ever

since English began so take 400 years

ago or so when the first people arrived

in America and you know we're talking

16006 that's the sort of period and they

settle on the Eastern seab Board of

America you get the beginnings of

Virginia and the result is American

English eventually but how long do you

think it takes for an American English

to develop are you thinking decades or

hundreds of years it only takes weeks

for a new variety of English to start to

grow because as soon as you arrive you

want to talk about what you see and what

did the Mariners see and the settlers

see when they arrived in America they

saw new plants new animals they saw uh

Indians with behavior that they'd never

seen before with new clothes uh new

costumes new new shoes and so words

started to come in like

moccasin and

Wigwam and

Squall and

skunk and they would write these words

in their letters back home so suddenly

in British English these letters were

coming through with American English in

just a few days after these guys had

arrived in America so that's how long it

takes for a new variety of English to

grow and as you look around the Modern

English world and you see English

developing in places like well you know

everywhere Now everywhere all countries

in the world have English either as a

first language or a second language or a

privileged foreign language and it

doesn't take long for these countries to

take the English that wherever it's come

from Britain perhaps or from America or

from Australia and then start to adapt

it to make it their own and how do you

see this adaptation taking place chiefly

in the vocabulary so it doesn't take

long if you take a dictionary like the

dictionary of South African English for

instance there are 10,000 words in that

dictionary that are only used in South

Africa you see or perhaps just around

South Africa afca like Zimbabwe and so

on so if you read South African English

every now and then you come across a

word and you have no idea what it means

because you don't know the cultural

background I told a story in the lecture

of my first visit to South Africa

driving along the road British Council

driver there and I see a sign ahead and

it says robot

ahead and I go what and I turn to the

driver I say robot ahead and he turns to

me and says in a lovely South African

accent of course it's a robot and I say

what's a robot he says you don't know

what a robot is I say no I don't know

what a robot is have they landed or

something uh no no no a robot is anybody

know a robot is a traffic

light in South African English that's

all and so when you're in South Africa

you will hear people saying sentences is

like turn left at the robot or the robot

is broken or you'll find the shop three

robots

ahead and now you know you can interpret

it but the first time you hear it you go

what like that now think 10,000 words

like that in South African English not

all from British English of course robot

comes from British English well check

originally of course but there are words

from Africans and words from Zulu words

from Co and all the other languages of

South Africa so what happens when

English goes to a new part of the world

is income the the loan words The

Borrowed words from the other languages

around that make that English difficult

for a foreigner to understand now I am

the Foreigner here not just you you see

there's no difference between me and you

in this respect if you go to South

Africa you don't understand some of the

language you think oh I'm a foreigner

I'm not a native speaker of English

don't think like like that I go to South

Africa I don't understand the language

and I'm a native speaker of English you

see there's no difference between me and

you when it comes to going to different

parts of the world and encountering

these new varieties of English and

everywhere this is the point you have to

pick up on everywhere in every country

in the world there is a new variety of

English gr growing which is

culturally

influenced and it's happening here in

Serbia you see you think Serbian English

what could that be well what's I'll tell

you what Serbian English is it's the

English you use when you talk to me

about Serbia and I don't understand what

you're talking about because I don't

understand what is happening in Serbia

let me give some examples the other way

around let me give you some examples of

how I will use culturally specific

British English and you may or may not

understand it so if I come out of the

room now over there and say oh terrible

it was like Clapham Junction in there

what on Earth do I mean it was like

Clapham Junction in there very common

expression but unless you know what

Clapham Junction is you've no idea you

understand my grammar you understand the

vocabulary pretty well except the name

you understand the pronunciation but if

you don't know what Clapham Junction is

you can't understand the sentence and I

tell you Clapham Junction is the name of

a railway station in the south of London

it's the most chaotic railway station in

Britain because it has more Railway

platforms than anywhere else and the

railway lines come all over the place

and if you ever go to Clapham Junction

you will get lost you will miss your

train probably because you won't find

the right platform so it has become an

idiom meaning it was chaos in there it

was terribly busy so you come out of a

room and you say it was like Clapham

Junction in there all right that's

British England English what is how

would you translate that into Serbian

you see what is the

equivalent it was chaos is there such an

expression maybe you are never chaotic

in Serbia you don't have this sort of

problem I don't know but the thing is as

I go around the world I increasingly

find people talking to me in English and

using Expressions which I have to I say

sorry I don't understand what you mean

because they just slip into talking

about oh the political parties

Serbia just like I might say you know

the the

Tories the labor party The Independents

and so on and I know what I mean but you

only know what I mean if you know the

British political system now if you

start talking politics here I'm going to

get lost very very quickly you will have

nicknames for your prime minister I have

no doubt and rude ones too I expect um I

won't know what they are if you drop

these into the conversation there will

be parts of the city where you say you

shouldn't go there because it's

dangerous may be the parts of a city

where something special happens if

somebody says to you in London I'm going

down to

Soho what is he saying what's what is it

about Soho well you have to know that

Soho is the traditional sex shop area in

London and that's why he said

Soho rather than Soho see if you're just

going to Soho you're just going there if

you're going to

Soho you're going for a different reason

you

now what is your

Soho maybe you haven't got one I see

there are some nods around the room so

perhaps you have you see what I mean

every aspect of your culture myths and

legends FAA and Flora the food you eat

the folklore you have the songs the

dances the politics the

institutions talk about them in English

and there will be a Serbian flavor to it

which I might or might not understand

[Music]