No language in the entire human existence has ever been static or homogeneous. Every language shows variations along different dimensions including time, space, social class, and education level, etc. English language is no exception.
English grammar may give you the impression that English is a standardized language spoken practically all over the world; but it’s not true! Despite all the standardization and rules, English has many variations. The Standard English we write or speak today is very much different from the English that was in use a hundred years ago. The English spoken in England is very much different from the language spoken in America or India or Australia. In fact, English spoken in the northern part of England itself is different from that spoken in the southern part.
In this article, let us introduce you to the dynamism and variability of English!
Native vs. Non-Native English
When we talk about variations or types of English, the first category that needs to be discussed is the native and non-native English.
The two words are self-explanatory. Native English is the English spoken by people whose first language or mother tongue is English. And, non-native English is the English language spoken by those for whom English is their second or maybe third or fourth language.
It is very easy to assume that native English speakers speak Standard English without any variations. But, that is also not true!
Variations in Native English
It might sound counter-intuitive but the variations in any language get introduced at the native speaker level as well. You must already be aware that English originated in England during the early medieval period. But do you think that the English people all over England speak the same English as the English that originated there?
Variation across time
The most clearly visible variations in native English can be seen across the dimension of time. You must have heard of terms like Old English, New English, Modern English, etc. These terms show the variations in English based on the passage of time. What we see today as English is entirely different from the English language that was brought to England by Germanic invaders in the 8th and 9th centuries AD. A native English speaker today might even fail to understand the original English.
Let us give you some examples.
Example 1
- Old English: Ic ne mæg gelyfan hu hræd tid flyhð
- Middle English: Ich ne may bileven how swiftliche tyme fleeth.
- Early Modern English: I cannot believe howe swiftly the tyme passeth away.
- Contemporary English: I can’t believe how fast time flies.
Example 2
- Old English: Hwær eart þu gān?
- Middle English: Whider goostow?
- Early Modern English: Whither goest thou?
- Contemporary English: Where are you going?
Example 3
- Old English: Sēo sunne ēasteweard ēaþe stīgaþ.
- Middle English: The sonne risith in the este.
- Early Modern English: The sun riseth in the east.
- Contemporary English: The sun rises in the east.
Variation across space
If we keep time as a constant dimension for a while, do you think the English language will be same for all the native speakers? For example, do you think contemporary English is the same for speakers across England? Well, clearly, it’s not!
Every language, including English, has regional varieties. These varieties are termed as dialects. Continuing with the example of contemporary English (keeping time constant), we find interesting variations in English used across England resulting in various dialects such as – South-East Midland Dialect, South-Central Midland Dialect, and Yorkshire Dialect etc.
Let us understand this better with a few examples.
South-East Midland Dialect (e.g., London area):
Standard Contemporary English: “I’m going to the store, do you want anything?”
South-East Midland Dialect: “I’m goin’ to the shop, d’ya want anyfink?”
Standard Contemporary English: “It’s a bit chilly outside, isn’t it?”
South-East Midland Dialect: “It’s a bit parky out, innit?”
Standard Contemporary English: “They haven’t arrived yet.”
South-East Midland Dialect: “They ain’t got ‘ere yet.”
The South-Central Midland Dialect (e.g., Midlands area, including cities like Birmingham):
Standard Contemporary English: “He’s really tired after work.”
Central Midland Dialect: South- “E’s fair knackered after graft.”
Standard Contemporary English: “Can you pass me the remote, please?”
South-Central Midland Dialect: “Can you gi’ me the telly changer, please?”
Standard Contemporary English: “She’s going to the party later.”
South-Central Midland Dialect: “She’s goin’ to the do later on.”
The Yorkshire Dialect:
Standard Contemporary English: “I haven’t seen him all day.”
Yorkshire Dialect: “I’ve not clapped eyes on ‘im all day.”
Standard Contemporary English: “That’s a very interesting book.”
Yorkshire Dialect: “That’s a reet interestin’ book, that.”
Standard Contemporary English: “We should go for a walk in the park.”
Yorkshire Dialect: “We should tek a stroll in t’park.”
It is customary to pick one of the variations or dialects and accept it as the ‘standard’ language. In the case of English, the written form of South-East Midland Dialect is the one that has been picked as the Standard English in England. It gets official recognition, and educational as well as legislative and political institutions do all their formal works in this ‘standard language’.
Variations by Social Class
You must have heard terms like ‘layman’s language’ or ‘in layman’s terms’. What do these expressions signify?
Language does not vary only across dimensions like time and space but also varies based on social class. The words, expressions, etc. used by an elite/highly educated person differ from those used by someone from a lower socio-economic background. The difference created in a language due to socioeconomic causes are termed ‘social dialects’ or ‘sociolects’ in terms of sociology.
Variations in the English language by social class are not classified but are recognized well in the United States as well as the United Kingdom. These variations are given descriptive labels such as – the language of the man-on-the-the-street, speech of the aristocracy, upper-class speech, etc.
Geographical Variations of English
Now that we have discussed the amount of variations created by native speakers of English, do we need to give a second thought to what amount of variations non-native speakers can bring to English, or any other language for that matter?
The colonization done by the British all over the globe ensured that English spread to every nook and corner of the world. Today, non-native speakers of English are much more in number as compared to the native speakers.
The biggest contributor to variations in non-native English is the effect of the native language of the speaker. For example, English spoken by a Tamil-speaking person will be highly influenced by the Tamil language, and English spoken by a German will have a great influence of the German language.
This influence of native languages over the centuries has resulted in the formation of different types of English, including –
British English
Originating from the United Kingdom, British English is considered the ‘original’ form of the language. It includes several sub-types, such as Cockney, Estuary, and Received Pronunciation (RP), which is often considered the ‘Queen’s English.’
American English
Developed through British colonization and shaped by subsequent immigrants, American English has its vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Pronunciation and spelling are noticeably different from British English. For instance, words ending in ‘-our’ in British English usually end in ‘-or’ in American English (colour vs. color).
Australian English
Emerging from the British colonial influence in Australia, this type of English has similarities with British English but has evolved its vocabulary, influenced by indigenous languages and American English.
Canadian English
It combines elements of both British and American English, although American spellings and vocabulary are more commonly used.
Indian English
English is one of the official languages in India, and the variant spoken there has been significantly influenced by native languages, resulting in a rich, hybrid form of English.
Variations of English based on Functional Types
In addition to all these, English also varies based on the industry or usage. If you pick up a newspaper you can very easily point out differences in the writing style for different sections such as politics, sports, and the fashion industry.
The writing style used in the fashion industry may sound cheesy or even vulgar in other spaces but it sounds perfect when used for the pieces of the fashion industry. The same is the case for all other industries. What seems to fit at one place becomes unacceptable at another place.
Academic English
Used in scholarly articles, research, and academic discussions, Academic English requires a formal tone and specialized vocabulary. It also adheres strictly to grammatical rules and structural coherence.
Business English
This type is tailored for professional communication, including meetings, presentations, and negotiations. Business English is often less formal than Academic English but still maintains a level of professionalism.
Legal English
Employed in legal documents, contracts, and court proceedings, this type of English has its set of terminologies and sentence structures.
Medical English
Used in medical research, patient care, and healthcare settings, Medical English involves a specialized vocabulary tailored to medical science.
Technical English
This type is specific to scientific and technical disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and information technology. It involves the use of jargon and industry-specific terms.
Dialects and Accents
Apart from geographical and functional types, English also comprises various dialects and accents:
- Scots English: Derived from Old English and influenced by Gaelic, this dialect is mainly spoken in Scotland.
- Cockney: Originating from East London, Cockney has its rhyming slang and is considered a working-class dialect.
- African American Vernacular English (AAVE): Also known as Ebonics, AAVE has roots in African languages and Southern American English.
- Hinglish: A blend of Hindi and English, popular in northern states of India
- Singlish: A colloquial form of English spoken in Singapore, influenced by Malay, Chinese, and Tamil.
Standard vs. Non-Standard English
- Standard English: Recognized as the ‘correct’ form of the language, Standard English is often taught in educational settings and used in formal writing and speech.
- Non-Standard English: These are the localized or informal variants, often employed in everyday conversation and cultural expressions.
The Bottom Line
Languages are never static. They keep evolving and changing their forms. Sometimes the change occurs so much that a completely new language is born (that’s how we have so many languages in the world now).
English, being one of the most widely spoken languages, is evolving very fast and this evolution is leading to the formation of many different types of English. These types or variations of English may be linked to nationality (e.g. Australian English, Indian English), influence of a person or position (Shakespeare’s English, Queen’s English), or usage (Business English, Medical English, Technical English).