Speaking English in different ways
Have you every read a piece from a Shakespeare story or poem? What are those people saying? It is so different from the way we speak today - Thank goodness we do not speak like that, is maybe what you are thinking now...
English changes the whole time and people from different countries and areas speak it differently. Even though some words or phrases will differ from place to place, we will be able to understand most of what is said.
Lets have a look at some things that influences the way you speak.
'Standard English' is the name given for English that is widely spoken and understood. There are words with specific meanings and spelling and pronunciation. The most important part about standard English is that a lot of people can understand it.
Depending on where you are in the world, you will hear English spoken, but is will sound different because of the 'accent' of the person. The place where you live will determine your accent. In Spain English will sound different from English in London or South Africa.
We are all speaking English, just with a different 'sound'.
Teenagers speak differently from older people. A gang will use different word from what a businessman will use. These are words that are specific to a group or generation. It can be 'slang' like 'dude and cool'. These are words that will be used in everyday conversation between people but not necessarily in a written form,
This is called 'colloquialism'.
colloquialismk?'l??kw??l?z(?)m/noun
a word or phrase that is not formal or literary and is used in ordinary or familiar conversation."the colloquialisms of the streets"
Different areas (even if they all belong to the same country) will have their own way of pronouncing and using words. Some areas will have specific words which you will not find in other areas. This is called a 'dialect'. If you know the different dialects of your country, you will be able to determine from which area the person comes from.
If you are speaking in a casual way, the way you would speak to your family or friends it is called speaking in a 'venacular'.
Something else that can play a role in the way you speak is your culture. If you are from South Africa you will most probably use a word like 'Eish...' if you want to express shock or not knowing what to say and if you are from a German culture you will use the word "Gesundheid' if someone sneezes. Different cultures have different words that they use.
The spoken language can be very different from the written language. Ways in which you pronounce a word and the way in which you have to write and spell it may be different.
A lot of people may speak English, but that does not mean that they can write English.
No matter from what country you are, which dialect you speak or what 'slang' words you use. mostly we can all understand each other even if we have to ask a few times "Sorry what are you saying?"
Have a look at the video to see how English from different countries can differ,
Activity
- Choose any country different from your own and find a few words they use that is different from the English you speak.
- Which words do you use that is true to your culture?
- Explain the following words in your own words
- dialect
- slang
- culture
- vanaculer
- colloquialism
- Are there different dialects in your country? Name the areas that differ and try and give examples.
