The Language Works Lounge

When we speak of an International English, there are at least two different directions from which it must develop– first of all, from the various native dialects already in use and secondly, from the various pools and pockets of second language English speakers around the world.

The first direction is from the many native dialects English has to offer, dialect referring to a geographical area where a common form of a language is spoken. Every language has various dialects. Because English is the native tongue in several countries, there are an exasperating number of forms. In the best possible scenario, the most effective, interesting and expressive elements from the widest variety of dialects will be assimilated while the superfluous, colorless and distained elements will fall out of usage. But we all know this is impossible. More than likely, the media will have the lion’s share of influence.

The ‘spark of creativity’ plays a part in a human being’s ability to be understood and no less so for the English language learner. The propensity for creativity really manifests itself most frequently through language. People constantly modify their language according to the situation they find themselves in. The second direction comes from the innumerable zones of second language English– those “pools and pockets” mentioned above can be rather enormous, such as India, which is more like a sea. Language becomes playful and the players are inclined use any and all equipment from the field of their experience to attempt to communicate. Some would categorize these utterances according to country, for example, “Japlish” is either:

1) Japanese characterized by numerous borrowings from English, or…

2) English affected by Japanese pronunciation, vocabulary, or syntax.

Here’s a sample: “This shop challenging to price broken in this campaign sale.”

Other examples are Konglish in Korea, Chinglish in China, Spanglish in Europe and the “New World” and Franglais in France, without which we would have no portmanteau at all…

Every EFL environment has the habit of making a foreign language their own— these ‘interlanguages’ are dynamic in nature and generate new forms constantly. The whole phenomenon has been conveniently packaged as ‘Engrish’ and is defined by Wikipedia as:

“… non-standard variations of English often found in East Asian countries. Spelling may also be non-standard. While the term may refer to spoken English, it is more often used to describe written English, for which problems are easier to identify and publicize.”

See more at Engrish.com

But the essential question obviously arises: Are these variations really ‘problems’?

Considering the two very broad directions and the many and various vehicles belonging to each, a clearly-defined International English is a long way from where we are standing now. The potential for its existence means the possibility of a truly new English language. As David Crystal so poignantly points out:

“We may, in due course, all need to be in control of two standard Englishes—the one which gives us our national and local identity, and the other which puts us in touch with the rest of the human race. In effect, we may all need to become bilingual in our own language.”

David Crystal– The English Language  ( London: Penguin 1988: p. 265 )
 
International English may simply absorb the majority of forms considered acceptable around the globe. Electronic media will be the influential vehicle delivering and discarding words, phrases and blends at the speed of light. Listening and interpreting will become the order of the day. Alarm and protest will be abundant. It will require ample effort in negotiating meaning– “Do you mean/Does that mean…?” and a good dose of patience. It may well be the most loathsome challenge for connoisseurs of their own dialects, but it is destined to become the global house wine, and the flavor will not be bland…

Reference: Timothy Brockley, The Language Works Articles, Global English, International English Will Not Be Bland, 2-14-2007.

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