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Unit I Title: World Englishes and Global Communication

Lesson 2: Standard and Non-standard English

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“Proficiency in English Language is the key to academic success”

– San Diego State University
Grammar basically operates in phrases, in clauses, and in sentences, and a
phrase or a sentence to operate needs series of items called words. You cannot speak
nor write well unless you choose every word carefully. Your choice and use of words and
the way you put them on paper reveal your values, education, family and social standing.
To be a good writer, you must be familiar with the commonly recognized levels of usage:
The Standard English and the Substandard English (or nonstandard). The level of
usage you choose gets its vigor and effect from certain considerations: your targeted
audience, your purpose, and the occasion.

THE STANDARD ENGLISH

Standard English is the most highly polished form of spoken and written English.
It has prestige and status and is considered as the most desirable form of language.
Writers and speakers who use standard English have much better choice of
understanding and being understood.

Language specialists maintain that Standard English has the following identifying
characteristics:
1. The working language in the academe, in the government, legal system, in
business and trade, and in media.
2. A variety of English held by many to be “correct” in the sense that it shows none
of the regional or other variations that are considered by some to be ungrammatical
or nonstandard.
3. The language most widely used, understood, accepted and valued in any English
speaking countries.
4. The language that is especially important in written English. It contains uniform spelling,
standard usage, conventional sentence, paragraph structure, and consistent
punctuations.
5. The language easiest to recognize in print because written conventions are common
world-wide.

STANDARD ENGLISH CAN BE DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF STYLES:

FORMAL and INFORMAL language.

1. Formal Language
Formal language also called “literese” (literacy, as it is remarkably influenced by
reading) is more academic in style and more objective in expression of ideas. It is often
used in writing than in speaking.
Formal language is characterized by the use of standard English, more complex
sentence structures, infrequent use of personal pronouns, and lack of colloquial or slang
terms.
Common features of formal Language
1. It uses appropriate capitalization, punctuations, spellings (mechanics) and
abbreviations.
2. It avoids shortcuts such as contractions (I’ll, won’t, it’s, she’s) and abbreviations
(prof., exam).
3. It avoids common colloquial expressions (gonna, wanna).
4. It uses denotative than connotative tone.
5. It is impersonal. It avoids the use of first and second persons (I, you).

Common uses of formal language

1. Research papers, theses, dissertations
2. Formal reports and memoranda
3. Literary criticisms and serious essays
4. Legal documents and news stories
5. Official speeches and public notices
6. Graduation speeches
7. Sermons and scholarly addresses
8. Polite conversations with elder or important people
2. Informal Language
Informal language also called “colloquial” which means “conversations” is more
relaxed and friendly in tone. Its comfortable level of English makes it popular for educated
people to ordinary everyday conversations but avoid it in formal written English.
Informal language allows the use of minimal nonstandard English forms, colloquial
vocabulary and typically shorter sentence structures.

Common features of informal Language

1. It contains short words and simple sentences often in fragments.
2. It is heavily loaded with contractions and colloquial expressions.
3. It is marked by popular words (okay, yeah), idioms and occasional slang expressions.

Common uses of informal language

1. Light, chatty writing for general readers

2. Conversation with colleagues or intimate friends
3. Novels and short stories
4. Club meetings
5. Classroom discussions
6. Showbiz and comic strips

Examples:
Informal/Colloquial English Formal Speech or Writing
so therefor
maybe perhaps
but however
buy purchase
brainy intelligent
buddy friend
cute adorable
mom and dad mother and father
kid child
freak strange person
mad angry
sorry apologize
tell inform
need require
ask request
check verify
get receive
start commence
 help assist
point out indicate
use consume
call off cancel
empty vacant
worse inferior
hurt damage
want desire
build construct
seem appear
tough difficult
book reserve
think about consider
I think in my opinion
to sum up in conclusion
in the end finally
To start with Firstly
Because In light of the fact that
What’s up? How do you do?
Nice to meet you. It is a pleasure to meet you.
As soon as you can At your earliest convenience
Worried about you Concerned about you
Say hello to Give my regards to
Heard from her lately? Have you heard from her lately?
Anna’s right. I agree with Anna, that…
Don’t forget I would like to remind you that..
Thanks a lot! I appreciate your assistance!
I need to … It is necessary for me to…
We recommend It is recommended
Sorry Please accept our apologies for…
She can … She has the ability
The most important thing is Lastly
They put the plan into action. The plan was implemented.

THE NON-STANDARD/SUBSTANDARD ENGLISH

Non-standard or substandard English is a variety of English that is marked

“incorrect” because it does not follow rules and guidelines of Standard English. It refers
to any dialect of English other than Standard English and is sometimes referred to as
nonstandard dialect or non-standard variety.
Language specialists identify nonstandard English in the following
characteristics:

1. A variety of English that differs greatly from the standard. It is loaded with grammatical
errors, misspellings, misused punctuations, slang and clichés.
2. A variety of English characterized by grammatical features and vocabulary which are
typical of a particular geographical area.
3. A language that uses expressions and grammatical constructions not normally used
by those people who have attended a formal education.
4. A language that contains expressions usually taken as a sign of inferior social and
academic background.

Example of Nonstandard Usage in Terms of Grammar:

1. Errors in agreement, case and tense
Examples:
I doesn’t understand the lesson.
Me and my classmates were late.
2. Double or multiple negatives.
Examples:
I can’t hardly understand the letter.
We ain’t done nothing.
3. Double comparatives or superlatives
Examples:
Mother is the most kindest woman I know.
Athletes walk more faster than the students.
4. Errors in the formation of reflexive pronouns
Examples:
He herself did it.
They submit the letter theirselves.
5. Redundancy
Examples:
Don’t repeat it again.
This is unexpected surprise.

(Buenaventura et.al, 2020. Module in Purposive Communication)

(Suarez, et.al, 2018. Purposive Communication in English)