Learning Module 2 Lesson 1:
VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN
AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE
Ms. Felisa D. Priego
Introduction
Learning the varieties of English and
different kinds of spoken and written
registers of a language will capacitate each
and every person to become an effective
sender and receiver of messages.
Varieties of English
World Englishes actually stands for the
localized varieties of English as they are
used or spoken in certain areas.
The concept of World Englishes was
introduced by Braj Kachru.
Kachru is known for the “Three Concentric
Circles of Asian Englishes”
3 concentric circles by Kachru:
Inner Circle with ENL (English as a Native
Language) member countries: USA, UK,
Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Outer Circle with ESL (English as a
Second Language) member countries:
Malaysia, Philippines, and Pakistan.
Expanding Circle with EFL (English as a
Foreign Language) member countries:
China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand.
Aside from the fact that the Outer and
Expanding Circles are ESL- and EFL-speaking,
respectively, they have been colonized by
some member countries in the Inner Circle,
making the varieties they speak as post-
colonial.
It is then to be understood that people have
different linguistic and cultural backgrounds,
making intercultural communication a
significant variable in communication.
3. Malaysian English:
➢ antilog -a male hated by a girl
➢ popcorn - a loquacious person
➢ kachang -peanuts, easy
➢ red spot ‘ open shelf - girls who are
popular and those who are not
➢ day bugs- those who come to attend
school but do not live in residence halls’ Said
&Ng, 2000, as cited in Kachru &Nelson,
2006).
Group Work:
Instructions:
1. Look for English news on television or on the internet
delivered by a Filipino newscaster and a Singaporean
newscaster.
2. Cite your sources.
3. In 5 to 7 sentences, write the differences that you were
able to discern in the ways the two newscasters spoke
English and used English. (20 Points)
Criteria
5 – Content (substance and richness of ideas)
5 – Convention/grammar/sentence structure
5 – Sophistication of language/word choice
5 - Creativity
Thank You!
