Embedded Files
Preparation work for live session
Preparation work for live session
In today's reading session, we're continuing on the topic of language. English is spoken in many places around the world, but the way it is spoken varies a great deal. Not only does pronunciation change, but we often find vocabulary and even grammatical structures unique to certain places. Things like local culture, the influence of neighbouring languages and change over time all play a role in shaping local varieties of English. But are some varieties more 'correct' than others? At what point does a variety of English become a different language? For a language of international communication these are important questions. We're going to read an article on the question of how much diversity in English is desirable, and where the bar for standards should be set.
Glossary
Glossary
Accent: a way of pronouncing the words of a language that shows which country, area or social class a person comes from
Dialect: the form of a language that is spoken in one area with grammar, words and pronunciation that may be different from other forms of the same language
Language: the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or area
Definitions from Oxford Learner's Dictionary
Live session discussion - task review
Live session discussion - task review
Which variety of English did you listen to on page 1 of the preparation materials? What are some of its features?
Page 4 asked you to choose one of the remaining sections of the article to summarise. Share your summary with the group.
Now that you have an overview of the article, what are Stapleton's key arguments for maintaining current standards of English in academic journals?
As a learner of academic English, do you find them convincing? Or do you agree with McKinley and Rose that standards should be relaxed?
Finally, share one of the pieces of language that was new to you that you picked up on while reading the article.
Live session - critical discussion
Live session - critical discussion
How many countries do you know of where English is a native language?
Do native speakers of English have an unfair advantage in academia?
What other varieties of English have you heard? Which might be more difficult for you to understand?
The UK has more variation in its accents and dialects than most English speaking areas. When the movie Trainspotting came out in 1996, the heavy Edinburgh speech could be difficult to understand even for English users from other parts of the country. How much variation of accents and dialects is there in your own language?
It's shite being Scottish! We're the lowest of the f*ckin' low! The scum of the f*ckin' earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilisation. Some people hate the English, I don't. They're just wankers. We on the other hand are colonised by wankers. Can't even find a decent culture to be colonised by! We're ruled by effete arseholes. It's a shite state of affairs to be in Tommy, and all the fresh air in the world won't make any f*cking difference.
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