Philippine, Standard and World Englishes

PHILIPPINE,
STANDARD AND
WORLD
ENGLISHES
• The emergence of English as a global phenomenon – as
either a first, second or foreign language-has recently
inspired the idea that we should talk not of English but of
many Englishes, especially in Third World countries where
use of English is no longer part of the colonial legacy but the
result of decisions made since their independence.
• David Crystal (2003) says that “a language achieves a

genuinely global status when it develops a special role that is
recognized in every country.”
-What is the special role of English in the Philippines?
• “We should not talk about English but of many Englishes.”
-Why?
• It is now a more widely accepted fact that there are
many World Englishes, sometimes referred to as
“varieties of English” used in the world. All are equal
in the sense that each is best suited to the
communication needs of its speakers.
• Some varieties are more prestigious than others

because of social attitudes about the speakers of these
varieties.
African American English (AAE): G-dropping in

words like readin’ (reading), walkin’ (walking), and
singin’ (singing) are stigmatized (Yule, 2010)
• The two most well-known varieties of English are those
of the colonial superpowers: British English and
American English. But there are many multilingual
countries around the world in which varieties of English
have developed.
*This may be because English was initially

“transported” to that country by English- speaking
settlers-as in the United States, Canada, Australia and
New Zealand.
*It could also be that English may have been brought

to that country as a language of conquest by English-
speaking colonizers-as in South Africa, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
• All of these World Englishes are equal in
functionality, but not all are equal in prestige.
• The idea, however, in writing is to adhere to the

Standard English of one’s country because each
variety, including those of the United States and
United Kingdom, has its own peculiar or
individual features.
• These features include differences in spelling,

punctuation, favored words and expressions, and
sometimes, grammatical constructions.
Aspect American English (US) British English (UK)
She said., “I’ll be at work by 8 a.m.”

Punctuation She said., “I’ll be at work by 8 a.m.”
Date July 16, 2018 16 July 2018
Spelling center, color, organize, program centre, colour, organise, programme
Words elevator, pants, diaper lift, trousers, nappy
Expression/
ruffled feathers (agitated) knickers in a twist (agitated)
Local idiom
Grammar Do you have that book? Have you got that book?
Pronunciation
(irrelevant in vase /vās-sounds like veyz vase /va:z/}-sounds like vahz
writing)
• Philippine English, as well, has its unique and idiosyncratic
usages.
*comfort room- a Philippine term for “washroom, “toilet” or

“lavatory”
*”There’s traffic”- means “There’s heavy traffic”
*”for a while”- equivalent to UK’s “just a second” or “just a

moment” or “hang/hold on”
• Every English-speaking nation has its own set of English

phrases and idioms; English is equally idiosyncratic in, say,
India, Jamaica, Zimbabwe or Singapore.
• There is no wrong way of speaking English as long as those who

speak it understand each other.
• The fact that all varieties of English have individual or
peculiar usages is why it is important-in the context of
academic and professional writing-to follow a standard.
• This standard advocates the use of consistent spelling and

punctuation system. It also avoids colloquial and informal
usages, eschewing these in favor of more widely understood
uses or explaining such usages for the reader if it becomes
necessary to use them in writing.
• The label for this variety is Standard English or- depending

on the region-Standard American English , Standard British
English or Standard Philippine English. This is defined as
consisting of “the conventional vocabulary and usage of
educated speakers and writers of English (Roberts and
Turgeon, 1998).
• Standard Philippine English follows Standard
American usages for spelling, punctuation, and the
formatting of dates. In terms of grammar, and
diction, Standard English “does not include slang,
vulgarisms, regionalisms, and other constrictions that
are considered unorthodox by those seeking a
language acceptable to a general audience (Roberts
and Turgeon, 1998).
• In general, then, writers should avoid local idioms,

expressions and constructions like those examples
mentioned, and essentially, to use words that will be
clearly understood by English speakers from any
region of the world.

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PHILIPPINE,

• David Crystal (2003) says that “a language achieves a

-What is the special role of English in the Philippines?

• “We should not talk about English but of many Englishes.”

• Some varieties are more prestigious than others

African American English (AAE): G-dropping in

*This may be because English was initially

*It could also be that English may have been brought

• The idea, however, in writing is to adhere to the

• These features include differences in spelling,

She said., “I’ll be at work by 8 a.m.”

Date July 16, 2018 16 July 2018

Spelling center, color, organize, program centre, colour, organise, programme

Words elevator, pants, diaper lift, trousers, nappy

*comfort room- a Philippine term for “washroom, “toilet” or

*”There’s traffic”- means “There’s heavy traffic”

*”for a while”- equivalent to UK’s “just a second” or “just a

• Every English-speaking nation has its own set of English

• There is no wrong way of speaking English as long as those who

• This standard advocates the use of consistent spelling and

• The label for this variety is Standard English or- depending

• In general, then, writers should avoid local idioms,

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