Lesson 3 Embrace Diversity,
Broaden Your Horizons English as a Global Language
English has become a widely used “lingua franca”
English or Englishes?
due to its extensive usage and adoption in many
How would you react if you saw an English sign
countries, allowing individuals who speak different
reading “Robot Ahead” on the road while driving in
native languages to communicate and understand
South Africa? You would probably look around the
each other. About 1.75 billion people around the
front of your car for a robot that looks like a
world use English as a useful means of
human. You would be confused momentarily, but
communication, due to the high demand of English
laugh when 5 you learned that the term “robot” also in critical fields such as science, technology, business,
means “traffic light” in South Africa. For visitors from and entertainment. Moreover, in the digital era,
other countries, the unique usage of this word might people are exposed to a vast amount of online
cause confusion and misunderstanding, but it also information and resources in English on a daily basis.
highlights the diversity of World Englishes, the These factors have consistently contributed to the
different varieties of the English language used widespread use and global influence of the English
around the world. language.
As English ability grows in different nations, various
English varieties have emerged worldwide, including
Singaporean English, Korean English, Indian English,
and others. Previously, British English and American
English were considered the standard models.
However, it is important to note that American
English was initially seen as a regional variation
rather than a standard form. As a result, we now
refer to the different varieties of English as
“Englishes,” not simply “English.”
English Evolves to Fit Local Realities Foreign Languages Enrich English
When a language is adopted in a specific region As these English expressions are widely used locally
or community, it is natural for it to undergo changes
and gain exposure in other countries, they contribute
or modifications as the local people utilize the
to the expansion and diversification of the English
language to more accurately reflect their daily
vocabulary. Moreover, English dictionaries have
realities and cultural contexts. Linguistic change takes
incorporated words borrowed from foreign languages.
place across various aspects of language, including
Some of the most popular English words borrowed
grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and everyday
from foreign languages include established terms
expressions. The change is particularly noticeable in
vocabulary. English vocabulary has been modified and such as tsunami, emoji, and origami in Japanese.
new expressions have been created within the Hygge in Danish and kiosk in Turkish have also
different varieties of English. gained worldwide currency among English speakers.
In Indian English, the term “prepone” was coined
Recently, as the Korean wave has spread globally,
to mean “to reschedule” as the opposite of
words related to Korean culture such as kimchi,
“postpone.” For instance, if a meeting scheduled for
hanbok, kimbab, and hallyu have been added to
Thursday is moved to Wednesday, it is considered
English dictionaries. More and more Korean words
“preponed.” Hong Kong English speakers shout “add
including oppa, noona, mukbang, daebak, and so
oil” to show encouragement or support, a direct
forth are being added to English dictionaries,
translation from a Chinese expression, which originally
meant to inject more gasoline into an engine. In the resulting in a richer English vocabulary. As words and
Philippines, there are many houses with “dirty expressions related to Korean culture are included in
kitchens,” which are not actually “dirty” kitchens. English dictionaries, English vocabulary is becoming
Instead, they refer to kitchens outside the home,
more diversified and the understanding of Korean
where most of the cooking takes place to avoid
culture around the world is deepened, accordingly.
trapping heat and smell inside the house in a hot
climate. This evolution allows language to better
match up with the everyday experiences and cultural
contexts of the communities that utilize it.
Be Open Towards World Englishes Further Reading
Using English expressions that incorporate the Living Dictionary
cultures of different countries, we are creating
In 1828, an American lawyer and author Noah
opportunities to broaden our understanding of and
Webster published “An American Dictionary of the
respect for other cultures. In this respect, English
English Language” with a goal of providing America
speakers around the world need to be open to other
with its own version of the English language. Most
English speakers. Embracing the diversity of English,
dictionaries in Webster’s day dictated how English
we can build a more inclusive community of English
words should be used rather than documenting the
speakers where everyone’s voice is heard without
way people actually used English in daily life. In his
prejudice or stereotypes. English does not solely
dictionary, Webster broke this convention and sought
belong to native speakers, but instead it is a
to describe the way Americans spoke. When he
language for anyone who uses it.
included informal words in his dictionary, critics
accused him of polluting the English language.
However, Webster argued that these words captured
American variations of English, distinguishing
American English from British English.
With the rise of English as the world’s lingua
franca, there has been a movement to register
English variations all over the world, for example,
with the creation of the Oxford Handbook of World
Englishes. Now, it is essential for English dictionaries
to recognize and document words and phrases that
reflect the identities and experiences of the
multicultural populations who use English.
