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