Variety of New English - Essay Example

VARIETY OF NEW ENGLISH Name Institution Professor Course Date Variety of New English Introduction The purpose of this research is to examine the current social and political status of Australian English in and outside Australia. Australian English is renowned for lack of regional differences. The British settled the nation late in the history of the Empire (the discovery of the New South Wales came over a decade after America’s Declaration of Independence). Nevertheless, it is inappropriate to say that Australian English and accents exhibit no variation. It is critical to note that those differences are not specifically regional. From a critical perspective, general accents represent the most common aspect of the Australian English. On the other hand, broad accents come out as more extremely associated with the working-class speech. Similarly, cultivated Australian accents are a prestige variety closer to the British Received Pronunciation. It is critical to note that the actual speakers of the latter are in the minority. Evolution/History of Australia English There are possible origins and developments of early Australian English (AusE), which are still under debate. In the course of understanding the aspects of Australian English, educational researchers and practitioners have the tendency of asking various questions. One of the potential questions in this context is the evolution of AusE into becoming a distinctive variety of English. In the course of tackling this question or concept, there are three perspectives or positions in illustrating the growth and development of the Australian English as a distinctive variety of English (Buchan & Jones, 2014). According to the majority’s perspective, AusE comes out as the outcome of a mixture of dialects. Various researchers such as Collins (1975) and Horvath (1985) note that the variety of language with reference to the Australian English came into existence following a mixture of dialects, which had taken place in the greater London. On the other hand, a group of educational researchers note that the mixing of the dialects took place on the Australian soil, thus complexities in the arguments relating to the growth and development of the Australian English. A group of educational researchers and practitioners that notes the influence of direct ‘transplantation’ of the London dialect to the case of Australia, thus the close relationship between the two languages. This group focuses on the usage of the evidence in relation to the investigations of the phonological systems of the current broad AusE, thus the influence of criticism methodology in the evaluation of the history or evolution of the language into becoming a distinct variety of English (Buchan & Jones, 2014). The third perception relates to the historical conceptualisation of the growth of the language under the influence of the Industrial Revolution and Agrarian Revolution in the context of London. From this perspective, it is critical to note that the mixing of the dialects had occurred and levelled prior to the European settlement of Australia, specifically in the great urban centres. From the above facts and perspectives, it seems that there has been increased emphasis on the examination of the source or origin of the Australian English. It is possible to summarize the three perspectives through relating them to colonisation, historical events, and social aspects across the world. In the current state, Australian English has developed as one of the distinct varieties of English with three critical accents: general, broad, and cultivated (Lambert, 2013). Social Status of Australian English in Australia and Global Context Australian English, as well as various accents are essential in the determination of the social class and educational background of the speaker. From this perspective, it is critical to note that Australian English is relatively homogenous in comparison to the American and British English. In most cases, the varieties relating to Australian English tend to be socio-cultural rather than regional. This is essential in the development of the three varieties of the Australian English with reference to broad, general, and cultivated Australian. Similarly, there seems to be various creole languages based on the Australian English. Since these creole languages differ significantly from English, they do not come out as dialects of English. Instead, these creole languages come out as separate language entities. Some of the examples of such entities include the Norfuk language and Torres Strait Creole. There is also the essence of the Australian Kriol language developed around and within the Sydney region during the early settlement. In the current context, such languages exist in the rural locations with reference to the northern section of Australia (Goddard, 2015). According to the educational researchers and practitioners, broad Australian English is familiar to English speakers, thus making it recognisable to various speakers across the world. In the case of Australia, the broad aspect of the Australian English is prominent nationwide, but more specifically in the rural locations. Similarly, the speakers of broad accent illustrate greater tendency towards assimilation of the syllable, as well as usage of weak consonants and narrow pitch range. Various researchers note that Australianism was very must aspect of the broad and general accents in relation to the growth and development of the Australian English. Cultivated Australian English, the prestige form of Australian English in the public domain, did not come into play in the growth and development of the language. It is critical to note that the Australian accent and core words are critical in the illustration of the Australian values (Lambert, 2013). These values seems to be central to the notions of the nationhood, as well as identity, thus the growing social influence of the language in the development and growth of the case of Australia. In spite of the changes in the usage of words in English through globalisation and travel, Australian English continues to keep its strong ties to the Australian culture. It is critical to note that Australian slang tends to be distinct form used in other varieties of English with the exception of the New Zealand English, which provides the perfect platform for the sharing of same English terms. The expansion of internationalisation or globalisation, as well as the international travel has been essential in the creation of the conditions for the many English cultures to influence the Australian English. Nevertheless, there are still strong ties between the Australian English and the Australian colloquialisms. From this perspective, Australian English is one of the essential aspects, which are essential in the building of the personal, social, and national identities. In addition, Australian English is critical in the creation of the solidarity within an in-group, which comes out as evident in the usage of the Australian language by the relevant users. The usage of Australian English in other nations and individuals of various cultures can be completely unrecognisable or experience strong misinterpretation as being substantive insults or elements of swearing. This element of misunderstanding comes out as an excellent example of the ways in which Australian English can carry strong cultural values under the influence of the attached meanings by the receiver of the content of the communication or interaction. During the second half of the 20th century, the weakening ties with Britain, because of the decision by Britain to join the European Economic Community, and the emergence of the new aspects of nationalism forced the reversal of the situation with reference to the influence or the implications of the Australian English. From this perspective, there was a continuous naturalisation of the Australian English in its own nation. This led to the acceptance of the accent and vocabulary as illustrations of the national norms. During the first half of the 20th century, the aspects of the cultivated Australian English had the opportunity to operate as the socially prestigious accent. However, at the end of the century, the utterance of the Australian English focused on the generation of the derision, as well as laughter, thus the generation of the conditions for the decline of the broad Australian English. In the current context, general Australian English is to the fore as in the case prior to the false downs of the cultivated and broad aspects of the Australian English (Bianco, 1990). The general aspect of the Australian English associates with the stereotypes with reference to the values, as well as the norms of the context of Australia. Majority of the Australians use the general aspect of the Australian English. In addition, this accent is essential in dominating the accents found in the contemporary Australian-made films, as well as television of programs. Moreover, Australian English has shorter vowel sounds in comparison to other aspects of the English language. On the other hand, Broad Australian English focuses on the utilisation of its archetypal element, thus the most recognizable accent of the Australian English in the global context. This aspect of the Australian English is familiar to the English speakers across the world. In addition, the accent proves to be less common in comparison to the general Australian English. Nevertheless, the aspect of the Australian English is majorly recognizable by a particular nasal drawl and the prevalence of the long diphthongs. In spite of these developments, there is a bias in the Australian English towards invention and deception, which is an element of the convict influence. Conclusively, the above illustration focuses on the usage and social influence of the Australian English as one of the distinctive aspects or varieties of the English language. In the case of Australia, the Australian English is essential in the illustration of the values, norms, and nationalism aspects of the nation. The Australian language has various political implications in relation to its development and growth in the globalised economy. The next section of this essay will focus on examination of the political status of Australian English in the case of Australia, as well as the global context. Political Status of Australian English in Australia and Global Context Australian English is the national language in the case of Australia. In spite of it being a national language, there are certain words, as well as expressions, which have become uniquely Australian through the common usage. In addition, some of the terms, words, and expressions of the Australian English might seem strange to the new arrivals or immigrants in the context of Australia, thus the influence of immigration or globalisation in the understanding and grasping of the meaning of such terms. From this perspective, the words, expressions, and slangs have various or diverse origin. It is also essential to note that some of these terms or words come out as the shortened versions of the longer words. Many of the words or expressions were slangs used by migrants who came from the north of England for political reasons. These words have seen become Australian words under the influence of political assimilation or adoption. Australians have the tendency of shortening words. For instance, football becomes ‘footy’ while television becomes ‘telly’ and barbecue becomes ‘barbie’. Immigrants might suffer from misunderstanding of these slangs in relation to the Australian English, thus the need to learn and grasp the concept of the Australian English. Similarly, the usage of some of the words tends to couple with the sense of humour in the case of Australia. From this illustration, it is essential to note that these words and expressions relate to the aspects of irony and irreverence, which might lead to various aspects of confusion during communication or interaction among individuals of diverse ethnic or national backgrounds. In case one is unsure of the expressions, it is critical to ask the person or the source of information for clarification. Conclusion The purpose of this research was to examine the current social and political status of Australian English in and outside Australia. Australian English is renowned for lack of regional differences. According to the majority’s perspective, AusE comes out as the outcome of a mixture of dialects. Various researchers such as Collins (1975) and Horvath (1985) note that the variety of language with reference to the Australian English came into existence following a mixture of dialects, which had taken place in the greater London. According to the educational researchers and practitioners, broad Australian English is familiar to English speakers, thus making it recognisable to various speakers across the world. List of References Bianco, J. L. (1990). Making language policy: Australia's experience. In Language planning and education in Australia and the South Pacific (pp. 47-79). Multilingual Matters Clevedon. Buchan, H., & Jones, C. (2014). Phonological reduction in maternal speech in northern Australian English: change over time. Journal of child language, 41(04), 725-755. Goddard, C. (2015). “Swear words” and “curse words” in Australian (and American) English. At the crossroads of pragmatics, semantics and sociolinguistics. Intercultural Pragmatics, 12(2), 189-218. Lambert, J. (2013). Australian English: Pronunciation and Transcription. Australian Journal of Linguistics, 33(1), 85-88. Read More

According to the majority’s perspective, AusE comes out as the outcome of a mixture of dialects. Various researchers such as Collins (1975) and Horvath (1985) note that the variety of language with reference to the Australian English came into existence following a mixture of dialects, which had taken place in the greater London. On the other hand, a group of educational researchers note that the mixing of the dialects took place on the Australian soil, thus complexities in the arguments relating to the growth and development of the Australian English.

A group of educational researchers and practitioners that notes the influence of direct ‘transplantation’ of the London dialect to the case of Australia, thus the close relationship between the two languages. This group focuses on the usage of the evidence in relation to the investigations of the phonological systems of the current broad AusE, thus the influence of criticism methodology in the evaluation of the history or evolution of the language into becoming a distinct variety of English (Buchan & Jones, 2014).

The third perception relates to the historical conceptualisation of the growth of the language under the influence of the Industrial Revolution and Agrarian Revolution in the context of London. From this perspective, it is critical to note that the mixing of the dialects had occurred and levelled prior to the European settlement of Australia, specifically in the great urban centres. From the above facts and perspectives, it seems that there has been increased emphasis on the examination of the source or origin of the Australian English.

It is possible to summarize the three perspectives through relating them to colonisation, historical events, and social aspects across the world. In the current state, Australian English has developed as one of the distinct varieties of English with three critical accents: general, broad, and cultivated (Lambert, 2013). Social Status of Australian English in Australia and Global Context Australian English, as well as various accents are essential in the determination of the social class and educational background of the speaker.

From this perspective, it is critical to note that Australian English is relatively homogenous in comparison to the American and British English. In most cases, the varieties relating to Australian English tend to be socio-cultural rather than regional. This is essential in the development of the three varieties of the Australian English with reference to broad, general, and cultivated Australian. Similarly, there seems to be various creole languages based on the Australian English. Since these creole languages differ significantly from English, they do not come out as dialects of English.

Instead, these creole languages come out as separate language entities. Some of the examples of such entities include the Norfuk language and Torres Strait Creole. There is also the essence of the Australian Kriol language developed around and within the Sydney region during the early settlement. In the current context, such languages exist in the rural locations with reference to the northern section of Australia (Goddard, 2015). According to the educational researchers and practitioners, broad Australian English is familiar to English speakers, thus making it recognisable to various speakers across the world.

In the case of Australia, the broad aspect of the Australian English is prominent nationwide, but more specifically in the rural locations. Similarly, the speakers of broad accent illustrate greater tendency towards assimilation of the syllable, as well as usage of weak consonants and narrow pitch range. Various researchers note that Australianism was very must aspect of the broad and general accents in relation to the growth and development of the Australian English. Cultivated Australian English, the prestige form of Australian English in the public domain, did not come into play in the growth and development of the language.

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