Lesson 3 Embrace Diversity, Broaden Your Horizons
English or Englishes?
How would you react if you saw an English sign reading ____ Ahead” on the road while driving in South Africa?
You would probably look around the front of your car for a robot that ____ like a human.
You would be confused momentarily, but laugh when 5 you learned ____ the term “robot” also means “traffic light” in South Africa.
For visitors from other countries, ____ unique usage of this word might cause confusion and misunderstanding,
but it also highlights the diversity of World ____ the different varieties of the English language used around the world.
English as ____ Global Language
English has become a widely used “lingua franca” due ____ its extensive usage and adoption in many countries,
allowing ____ who speak different native languages to communicate 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 ____ in critical fields such as science, technology, business, and entertainment.
Moreover, in the digital era, people are exposed to a vast ____ of online information and resources in English on a daily basis.
____ factors have consistently contributed to the widespread use and global influence of the English language.
As English ability grows in different nations, various English varieties have emerged worldwide, including Singaporean English, Korean English, Indian English, ____ others.
Previously, British English and ____ English were considered the standard models.
However, it is important to note that American English was initially seen as a regional variation ____ than a standard form.
As a result, we now refer ____ the different varieties of English as “Englishes,” not simply “English.”
English Evolves to Fit Local Realities
When a language is adopted in a specific region ____ community,
it is natural for it to undergo changes or modifications as the local people ____ the language to more accurately reflect their daily realities and cultural contexts.
Linguistic ____ takes place across various aspects of language, including grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and everyday expressions.
The change is particularly noticeable in ____
____ vocabulary has been modified and new expressions have been created within the different varieties of English.
In Indian English, the term “prepone” was coined to mean “to ____ as the opposite of “postpone.”
For instance, if a meeting scheduled for Thursday is moved to Wednesday, it is considered ____
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 houses with “dirty kitchens,” which ____ 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 ____ language to better match up 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 countries, they contribute to the expansion and diversification of ____ English vocabulary.
Moreover, ____ dictionaries have incorporated words borrowed from foreign languages.
Some of the most ____ English words borrowed from foreign languages include established terms such as tsunami, emoji, and origami in Japanese.
Hygge in Danish and kiosk in Turkish have also gained worldwide currency among English ____
Recently, as the Korean wave has spread globally, words related to Korean culture such as kimchi, hanbok, kimbab, and hallyu have ____ added to English dictionaries.
More and more Korean words including oppa, noona, mukbang, daebak, and so forth are ____ added to English dictionaries, resulting in a richer English vocabulary.
As words and expressions related to ____ culture are included in English dictionaries,
English vocabulary is becoming more diversified and the understanding of Korean culture ____ the world is deepened, accordingly.
Be Open Towards ____ Englishes
____ English expressions that incorporate the cultures of different countries, we are creating opportunities to broaden our understanding of and respect for other cultures.
In this respect, English speakers ____ the world need to be open to other English speakers.
____ the diversity of English, we can 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.