Talk:Standard English
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I disagree with the definition of Standard English you have published because it overlooks the fact that English is spoken outside the UK and does have a set of rules and vocabulary. I would like to submit my own interpretation of the definition: Standard English is English as is taught in schools across the world applying rules for grammer and vocabulary. It is used in schools, working situations, the government, and when speaking with someone of authority.
I removed the "many areas refer to American English" passage because I recently traveled to Italy. Any time somebody spoke English, they were obviously attempting Received Pronunciation (and the better English speakers came pretty close to it.) This leads me to believe that Received Pronunciation is what's taught in the schools of Occidental Countries.
If the concept of standard English is "fluid" then it doesn't exist. "Standard" implies something that isn't fluid. --Pauldanon 12:14, 13 Feb 2005 (UTC)
If standard English is to mean anything, it must allow for the fact that the language is spoken outside Britain. Thus, the citation of the BBC as a reference-point isn't helpful. Standard English is, rather, the phenomenon (if such it is) which allows someone in London to read the New York Times and the Times of India without needing a dictionary. It also make possible telephone-conferences between New York, Delhi and London without an interpreter. This would not be possible among German speakers from various parts of the world if they used their dialects. --Pauldanon 12:26, 13 Feb 2005 (UTC)
Contents |
[edit] "Opposition" as a source of linguistic change
The article previously stated:
- However, opposition to these three varieties, which are often too closely associated with their countries of origin, has given rise to many local Englishes.
I edited this sentence because frankly, it is patent nonesense. Local varieties of a language arise as a result of many processes and causes, but "opposition" to an association with a particular country is never one of them. In the case of English, the processes that led to the many varieties of the language are clear (linguistic drift after loss of physical continuity with the base population of speakers, etc.). I edited the article accordingly. --Ryanaxp 20:54, May 21, 2005 (UTC)
-
- Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that American English (as we know it now) developed partly from a desire to disaccociate with Britain? Wiki-Ed 18:07, 20 November 2005 (UTC)
[edit] … that is considered the model for educated people.
I removed this from the first paragraph, put it back, considered a rewrite and ended up leaving it alone. There must be a better way of describing what "Standard English" is, but this is vague and expresses a point of view. I came to this page looking for a definition and only found a few clues. Paul Tracy|\talk 21:47, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
- I have only ever seen the phrase "standard english" used to distinctify from slang and American english. Of course this can't be publshed on this page (WP:OR) but I find it hard to believe that I have been misled all my life. --The1exile - Talk - Contribs -
17:06, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
[edit] This page is a mess: English is, in fact, spoken outside the U.K. . . .
This needs a complete rewrite. I'll start tonight. -BrianinStockholm 09:28, 29 May 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Irony
Spelling mistakes in an article about Standard English. -Qa Plar 17:47 25th June 2006
- Spelling errors are Standard in any language! - DavidWBrooks 17:03, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
- Not in Englosh! 03:34, 27 November 2006 (UTC)
Standard English is as described on the previous page, it is a set of norms brought about to set and fix a language. It happens via the processes mentioned. It can be seen as prescriptive if you say someone speaks or writes 'non standard' english, however a standard English is a means of communication to prevent misunderstanding and ambiguity between everyone. It is a necessity.
English Language Student, 18th January 2007
