LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND SOCIETY - By linguist/researcher

- Natural Setting
Chapter 2: Plurality of English - When Speaking
- When Listening
Nominative –
- Function to Form
Cases: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who
DESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR
LESSON 1: WORLD ENGLISH VS. WORLD ENGLISHES
– Approach to grammar that is concerned with describing the use of
language by native or non-native speakers without reference to World English – is the language used in business, trade and
proposed norms of correctness or advocacy of rules based on such diplomacy and other international activites.
norms. World Englishes – refers to the varieties of english from the different
– Take the principle that the language usage can vary according to regions of the world.
varied speakers. Thus it does not considered what is 'correct'. – It is a term referring to the emerging Englishes which are products
– Rules are made according to the daily usage of language by the of influences by United Kingdoms or the United States.
speakers. Globalization – considered an important factor in the spread of
PRESCRIPTIVE GRAMMAR English (Schneider 2011).
– Approach to grammar that is concerned with establishing with – Quirk (1988 cited in Kachru 1990) states that because of
norms of correct and incorrect usage and formulating rules based on demographical, economic, cultural and imperia factors, language
these norms followed by users of the language. spreads.
– Take the principles that the long existed grammar rules created by Diffusion – English spread via colonization,
the native speakers are the 'correct' and the variations are 'incorrect'. globalization, etc.
– There are specified and standard set or grammar rules. Induction – English accepted for education, trade, communication.
PRESCRIPTIVISM (how one MUST use the language) Customization – L1 and other local languages start to reshape
- By the rules english slowly by giving it a touch. Indigenous word form and
- By the book structure get incorporated into English.
- By language teacher Native Recognition – People start to use English unconsciously
- Formal Setting without associating with its parent varieties.
- When Writing
-When Reading
-Form to Function
DESCRIPTIVISM (how one uses the language)
- By context
- By culture/experience
Lesson 2: Philippine English
Llinguistic Features of Philippine English
Philippine English – is one of the very few American-transplanted
Englishes. It is a variety of English used by around 42 million or
70% of the population. The Filipinos were able to adapt and learn
English after being colonized by the Americans (Gonzalez, 1996).
Though some may contest its acceptability, we must always
remember that language is alive and evolving. It also does not exist
in a vacuum. As such, differences in language use may occur as a
result of geographical, cultural or historical reasons. Lesson 3: Multilingualism
Phonological Variation – The lack of distinction between /f/ and /p/ Maximal Multilingual – These are speakers who are equally
or /v/ and /b/ sounds, such as “very” being pronounced as “bery.” proficient in two or more languages
Lexical Variation – Unique terms like “salvage” (meaning “to kill” Minimal Multilingual – Hello नमकल Hola These are speakers
rather than “to save”) or “CR” (comfort room) for "restroom.” who can successfully cut across their message even if
Grammatical Variation – The use of reduplication (repeating a word they are not fluent in the second or third language. For
for emphasis) has carried over into Philippine English. example, the tourists. They can communicate and
Venus Raj's famous phrase “major, major problem” during the Miss make themselves be understood although some of
Universe 2010. them are not very proficient in the language.
Bautista’s (2000) grammatical features of PE
1.Liquidity problems of rural banks on a massive scale is [are] being
experienced for the first time.
2. [A] Majority of the public school teachers do not want to serve as
poll officials in the May elections. Causes of Multilingualism
3.This results to [in] a better quality of life. Globalization and cultural exchanges are the usual causes of
4.But it was only in 1510 that a more authentic epidemic has been multilingualism. It is becoming a phenomenon in this generation
[was] described. most especially that technology has helped shape and aid in the
access of information and the flow of ideas.
Bolton and Butler’s (2008) “localized vocabularies of English Colonialism – When colonizers live with their territories, the natives
usage” in Philippine dailies: of their colony have to accommodate and learn the colonizer's
Politicians are found guilty of economic plunder (‘large-scale language. As a result, the native people absorb and leam the
embezzlement of public funds’) or challenged by the press in language and apply this in their daily lives. With their unconscious
ambush interviews (‘surprise interviews’); corrupt cops are accused practice, their children have imitated and learned as well the second
of coddling criminals (‘treating leniently’), or mulcting (‘extorting or third language and continue to incorporate the language into their
money from’) motorists. culture.
Anvil-Macquarie Dictionary of PE for HS (2000): Migration of people – With the advancement of technology and the
• academician noun Philippine English a teacher in a college, transport system, it has become casy for people to move and live
university, or institution of higher education. NOTE This word is from one place to the other. In so doing, languages and culture have
from the French or by the owner of the house.. been carried and transported in a way as well causing the emergence
• bedspacer noun Philippine English someone who stays in a of multilingualism and cultural exchanges.
dormitory or shared room of a board house but does not take meals Intermarriages – Naturally, when a couple speaking different
there. languages move and live together they are forced to teach each other
• dirty kitchen noun Philippine English a kitchen for everyday use or their languages causing one to learn and later on be proficient in this
use by maids, as opposed to a kitchen used for show or by the owner particular language. Unsurprisingly, this also happens to their
of the house.
children. Having parents with different native languages, the children
will learn and speak both languages causing them to be bilingual.