International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 10, Issue 4, April 2020 319

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A Study to Identify Sri Lankan Dialects of English- A

Linguistic Exploration: Based on Tertiary level Students
in SLIATE- Sri Lanka
Nihal Wella Arachchi

Assistant Lecturer in English Advanced Technological Institute, Badulla – Sri Lanka

DOI: 10.29322/IJSRP.10.04.2020.p10037
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Abstract- This study aims at studying whether the concept of speaking a lot. Though there existed a standard variety of English
regional dialectical variations had the effect on English Language many English speakers tent to use English in a way that goes with
users in Sri Lanka and to which extent they differ from region to their regional social identity. Some distinctions could be seen
region when speaking and writing in English as a second especially in speaking from region to region. The researcher
language. In order to identify this phenomenon, 125(hundred and attempts to examine some of those dialectical differences having
twenty five) students ( five groups) of Sri Lanka Advanced a sample of five different groups of tertiary students from five
Technological Education were randomly chosen from six regions different Advanced Technological Institutes in Sri Lanka. So far a
and surveyed with twenty five structured questionnaire and an lot of researches are done on dialectical variations in English in
interview. Questionnaires tested formal written expressions while Sri Lanka which failed to find out the exact reasons for these
the interview tested formal oral expressions. Thereby the variations.
researcher examined to which extent the participants deviated Of the four micro skills, speaking has become the second
from standard Sri Lankan dialect. The researcher conducted a which is a little bit flexible and very hard and fast rules are not
methodical analysis of the collected data linguistically. It enabled applied when it comes to Sri Lankan dialectical variations. Dr.
the researcher to identify how and why each group differs from Arjune Parackrama, Shiromi Fernando, Prof. Menique
the other dialectically. They are logically treated after thorough Gunasekara and Thiru Kandiah have contributed a lot in
analysis under particular linguistic categories. The combinations promoting the Sri Lankan variety of English along with other
of the findings of the study and the knowledge gained in the standard varieties used by elite class in Sri Lanka. What they
process of study are used to draw conclusions of the factors that advocate is the Sri Lankan variety and not the particular regional
contributed to those dialectical variations. Finally the researcher varieties. Menique Gunasekara in her “Post Colonial Identity”
has made some suggestions to go for Identical Sri Lankan Dialect defines Sri Lankan English as the variety of English used by Sri
rather than trying to promote regional dialectical variations since Lankans whose first language is English or those who are
the researcher could not elucidate substantial variations among bilingual in English and Sinhala or Tamil. But the researcher
the participants of the study found out that many Sri Lankans tend to use English on their own
way due to the influence of their colloquial languages that have
Index Terms- Sri Lankan Dialect, second language, dialectical their regional accent, sentence patterns. For example, Poyaday,
variation, first language, language interference nelekadala(groun nut) sambol. Other than that they use broken
English such as “ you no there no” , “ you come go” , “take money
to eat” , “ we eating rotti” , “ you not born near school” “ I like to
I. INTRODUCTION eat samba rice” etc..
However, it is noteworthy to agree to the view that some
L earning English has become an integral part of many Sri
Lankans with the arrival of Englishmen to Sri Lanka in
1796.They were the third colonizers who were able to establish
researchers have done studies on Sri Lankan English but they are
insufficient for the learners of English to meet their academic and
their administration in Sri Lanka . Though Englishmen left Sri social demands. Sri Lankan English still has no distinctive identity
Lanka officially they left their language behind us. Therefore , Sri in the international forum like the other Englishes have. Though
Lankans happened to study English willingly or unwillingly for Sri Lanka is geographically small, dialects of native people differ
economic, social, political and economic purposes. Thus English from area to area. For example, southern Sinhala dialect is
was spread all over the country and many had to learn English different from upcountry Sinhala dialect. In the same way,
from local English teachers who had their education in their Batticoloa Tamil differs from Jaffna Tamil. This dialectal
mother tongue either in Sinhala or Tamil. Depending on the variation can be seen in English they speak along with the
nationality of the teacher the way of speaking in English under influence of their first language. Thus the identification of those
went a lot of phonological and morphological changes. dialectal variations will pave the way for the learners ,researchers
That is the first language interference. Moreover, the and the scholars to get to know the typical socio-cultural and
regional dialectical variations also influenced their English socio-linguistic features of English that they use in their locality.
Therefore, the researcher in this study will find socio-linguistic

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International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 10, Issue 4, April 2020 320
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factors for those dialectal variations separately though English by Sri Lankans who speak English as their first language or second
links all nationalities together. This is the point where the language.
researcher hopes to find the answers for the following questions. Maniue Guansekara (2005) further stated that the kind of
Do Sri Lankans really have a language called Sri Lankan English? English used by Sri Lankans is not the English used by the
Have they adhered to British model? Is it possible them to line up colonizers. It is a mixer of colonizers’ English and local
with one alley? For sure, solid answers for the above questions are borrowings from Sinhala and Tamil. Many Sri Lankans prefer to
not to be found within the existing English dialects framework in use this mixed variety of English which is inferior to standard
Sri Lanka. Thus it is significant for the researcher to examine the British English. But it is distinctive to Sri Lankans according to
existing English dialects in Sri Lanka and find out valid and her. Siromi Fernando (2008) distinguished Sri Lankan dialects on
justifiable solutions for these unanswered problems. Therefore, the basis of phonology, morphology, syntax and orthography.
the researcher in this study attempts to find new knowledge to According to Passe(1948) different dialectical versions emerged
bridge the gaps left by earlier researchers to date. due to mother tongue translations in Sri Lankan English since Sri
A lot of researches have been done on “Sri Lankan English” Lankans preferred it. Thiru Kandiah(1981) distinguished different
but there is no universally accepted definition for it. It means that dialects in relation to vocabulary usage. The same phenomenon
it demands a lot of research. This study will revive the existing could be seen in morphology. Even standard Sri Lankan English
knowledge in the area that is still under investigation. Therefore, speakers tend to pluralize nouns which is not done in standard
this empirical study is based on the hypothesis that the Sri Lankan British English. Chithra Fernando(1977) stated that there are a lot
speakers of English use different dialectal variations of English in of dialectal differences in pronunciations among Sri Lankan sub-
different locations. To test the above hypothesis the researcher varieties since Sinhala and Tamil dialects differ from area to area.
frames two questions. ‘How does non-standard Sri Lankan Other than the two varieties identified by Manique Gunasekara
English differ from Standard Sri Lankan English?, ‘What are the and Mayler, Chithra Fernando states that there is another variety
distinctive socio linguistic features of those dialects that are used called Not-pot which is used by speakers who are less exposed to
in the multi-national and multi-cultural Sri Lankan English English. It is noted that the same affluent English speaking
speaking community?’ A face to face interview using a community changes their attitudes to dialectal variety they use,
questionnaire is conducted with a sample of students who speak while particular ethnic varieties remain unchanged. The post
English as a second language in Sri Lanka institute of Advances Bloomfieldians stated that the same phone functions differently at
Technological Education to collect the data for the study. The different positions in standard British English which is called
analysis of the recorded data is done using auditory systems in allophonic variation. This phenomenon is not found in Sri Lankan
order to examine the various pronunciation of each participant of variety, It justifies that Sri Lankan English differs from British
the study separately. This study is mainly based on linguistic standard English. Moreover, Dr.Dushanthy states “…it is
theories incorporating ethnographic information of the important to recognize that affluence speaker of the Sri Lankan
participants. Further, the phonological variations of the dialects English is the switch between Sri Lankan mode and international
used by the participants will be given the priority in the analytical mode when the context demands it”. What it suggests is that Sri
discussion. The researches done on this field to date reveal the fact Lankan speakers of English have their own two-fold Englishes,
that there is no single form of English universally accepted to be standard and non-standard. Gamini Fonseka in one of his research
adopted standard. But there are a lot of English dialects and they papers (2003) stated that there is a particular style of writing and
are correct and accepted by their respective communities. None speaking which is subjected to its ethnocentricity. It is applicable
can deny this phenomenon and speakers/learners of English to Sri Lankan speakers/writers as well since the community to
should be promoted to learn the most suitable and appropriate which the individual belongs determines his/her dialectical form.
dialectal form for them which finally upgrades their English Thus the researcher in his study found it very difficult to
language proficiency in speech and writing. Some scholars have apply internationally accepted theoretical perspectives since the
done researches in this field to test how dialectal variations participants’ first language is either Tamil and Sinhala. The
influence in Sri Lankan speakers of English. Rajiva Wijesinghe influence of the first language cannot be measured quantitatively
stated (1998) that the writers who have made their mark, like their because of these two languages. Moreover the participants of the
predecessors tend to use standard English. They did not purposely research is very limited and it is very difficult to validate the
represent English as a second language or foreign language but findings to all dialectical variations prevailing in Sri Lanka. The
used local flavour and materials to define Sri Lankan English. study is an experimental research which is analytical and
Hypothesis based on Lardo’s suggestions reveal that, “comparison deductive. To get it done the researcher has used five different
between native and foreign language lies the key to all difficulties groups of tertiary level students whose first language is not
in foreign language learning” Lardo (1957) In fact, it is the first English for the sample to collect data for the research.
language knowledge that makes it difficult to acquire the structure Thus the findings of this study will benefit learners at least
of the second language. Manique Gunasekara (2005) stated that to minimize the linguistic, cultural and first language barriers
the dialect used by the Sri Lankan elites for whatever the purpose when speaking or writing in English deviating from regional
in Sri Lanka is recognized as Sri Lankan standard English. It is a dialectical influences. Besides, the academics, researchers,
sociolinguistic term used to refer to a prestige variety of language curriculum developers, teachers and speakers will be able to
used within a prestige community. It clearly shows that the Sri identify the dialectical variations along with the causes behind
Lankans have two dialectical variations of English. They are non- them and to find practical solutions for the problems speakers of
standard and standard Sri Lankan English. However, English face when speaking and writing in English in Sri Lanka.
Mayler(2005) says that Sri Lankan English is the language used

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II. METHODOLOGY
The empirical study was conducted at five ATIs ( Badulla
[Group A], Rathnapura [Group B], Ampara [Group C] , Kandy III. DATA ANALYSIS
[Group D and Trincomalee [ Group E]) in Sri Lanka with the Having used single group and individual method in this
sample 125 students (Sinhala and Tamil/ male and female,) The study the researcher attempted to facilitate the validation and the
researcher as a participant conducted two types of tests. triangulation of the data collected. The recordings and the written
a. Personal interview ( same questionnaire for all individual sentences of each participant categorized and labeled under
participants) different headings. They are further sub- divided depending on
b. Written test. (same test paper for all participants) the Sri Lankan and RP productivity. The researcher expects the
categorization of those data collected will help him find the
Students were free to express using their own English typical expressions and their variation that reflect the particular
dialects while the researcher recorded each individual’s interview regional identity of the dialect they use due to the influence the
with the researcher and to do a quantities analysis of their first language. Further the researcher expects that the
interview paying attention to the dialectical variation from one categorization of the data will help him test the hypothesis
locality to another. And thereby the researcher expects to observe logically influence them a lot. When the researcher compares
how target language (Tamil or Sinhala) influenced their Dialectical Variations are analyzed according to Manique
expressions morphologically , syntactically , semantically etc.. Gunasekara (2005) and Shiromi Fernando (2008) in this study
Especially , to check how standard language features like since they have emphasized the facts that the Sri Lankan
consonant clusters and diphthong are replaced by their own dialectical variations are mainly influenced by phonology,
language components. This is to be done by comparing and morphology syntax and orthography. In this study, this researcher
contrasting the participants of the same institute and participants found out that the variations occur due to many factors.. Among
of different institutes in order to see how their dialects differ from them, the influence of the first language is vital since almost all
one region to another. The finding will help the researcher to (except a few) learnt and learning English from books through
examine to which extent their first language interferes with their local teachers and not from native speakers. Those local teachers
second language speaking which marks their dialectical variation. come from different parts of Sri Lanka who have their own first
The same process is to be applied to the writing activity as languages. They have their own dialectical variations based on
well. In here the researcher expects to analyze the answers their regions, especially in speaking. Other than variations
written( objective) logically to determine the facts how each common linguistic features such as lack of clusters, altered
participant forms sentence structures with the influence of their consonants, syntactical constructions etc. and contrasts those
first language on one hand how the same or different language in linguistic dialectical variations of each group, it shows some
the same or different region influences their dialects. similarities in some linguistic areas. Besides, the percentages of
Thus the same individual is tested twice in speech and dialectical variations of the five groups do not show a vast
writing which will help the researcher to test his hypothesis based distinction among one another. It justifies that the dialectical
on the facts found in the research. Besides, the main aim of this differences play a very minor role while Sri Lankan English is
study is to identify the dialectical variations of spoken and written compared with other Englishes. However, the researcher attempts
language in English that determines all Sri Lankans do not use the to pay his attention to those minute differences to see how those
same variety of English throughout Sri Lanka. variations occur within this small island country.
This is a need of hour since there are controversies over the
concept of Sri Lankan English for the last couple of decades.

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Table 01: Dialectical differences of five sample groups(spoken & written)

Linguistic Grou % Grou % Grou % Grou % Grou % Dialectical category

category p p p p p
A B C D E

Morphology 21 81 22 88 16 64 15 60 14 56 Use L1 affixes

Spelling 9 36 11 44 16 64 13 52 13 52 Replace consonants

First 18 72 16 64 17 68 16 64 12 48 Use L1 sentence

Language patterns
construction
Alternative 17 68 17 68 14 56 15 60 16 64 Double
syntax adjectives/wrong tags
Alternative 15 60 18 72 13 52 12 48 13 52 Repeat vowels not
vowel sound sounds
Non-RP 12 48 21 84 16 64 15 60 14 56 Adding extra
additions prepositions
Replacement 17 68 16 64 15 60 16 64 15 60 Use synonyms
of English
words
Altered 14 56 11 64 08 32 07 28 08 32 Neglect voice quality
consonants
Words 13 52 14 56 18 72 16 64 14 56 Go by the spellings
pronounced
differently
Group wise 136 60 146 67 133 59 125 55 119 53
total .1 .1 .9 .6

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

G1 G2 G3 G4 G5

Figure 1: Percentage of dialectical variations of linguistic categories of each group

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The analysis of the data collected in this study mostly above mentioned factors contribute to their identical dialectical
influenced by the researches done on Sri Lankan English and its variations. They are discussed under different linguistic categories
extension of regional dialects by Sri Lankan researchers. The paying attention to how far those factors affect their individual
selection of the corpus of dialectical variations was done and regional dialects in English
different variations and similarities of regional expressions and
writings were recognized. Those data are tabled under different 4.1. Morphological factors
linguistic categories and quantified where the researcher could The analysis of the data collected in this study shows the
trace how each group responded to the same set of questionnaire manipulation of different first language affixes to form new words
in different ways both in speaking and writing. Further, the that deviate from Sri Lankan English variety. But the researcher
researcher calculated the percentage of the correct utterance and sees very little difference from region to region. Almost all
sentences of each group separately. Thereby the researcher participants had a uniformity of using Lankanized spellings in
expects to see the correlation of five groups of the sample in line their writings. They go by the pronunciation and not by English
with the analysis James Taxonomy and categorized them into spellings since Sinhala and Tamil languages do not have any
different linguistic parts studying the frequency of the variations. difference in writing and pronunciation, they pronounce what they
The above chart very clearly shows the frequencies occurred in write. Eg. Blakbod., lisen etc..
speaking and wring of all five groups. When compared the The participants never thought twice to replace English
speaking and writing of the above five groups, it shows that the words by Sinhala or Tamil words. This is a special characteristic
differences from region to region is very little. For example, the of Sri Lankan English. It is further extended in regional dialects.
group wise total dialectical differences both in speaking and They use Sinhala and Tamil loanwords which differ from region
writing between Group A and group B is ten It marks the to region according to their first language. For example, Kithul
percentage difference as 07. The dialectical variation between tree ( farm tree), Amma ( mother ), Appa ( father)
group C and Group D marks as 08 while the percentage appears Kadalas( grams). Some of the features mentioned above
roughly 07. In the same way, the dialectical difference between could be seen among all the participants who came from different
group A and Group E shows a marked distinction. It is 17 while regions in SriLanka.
overall percentage difference is 07.These minute dialectical
differences shows the fact that the participants who are close to 4.2. Phonological factors
urban areas ( group C and D) uses little variations which are This is a very distinctive language area which is locally
closer to Sri Lankan Standard English variety. The reason that the Sinhalized or Tamilized English without paying any attention to
researcher finds is that they are more exposed to English Sri Lankan Standard form. The participants of the sample groups
educated community who uses English more fluently than less consisted three nationalities: Sinhalese , Tamils and Muslims of
urban community. For example participants from Kandy and whom the first language of Tamils and Muslims is Tamil. There
Ampara show a little difference in dialectical variation. were a lot of deviations from region to region in pronunciation,
The main reason the researcher finds here is that the replacement of English diphthongs, consonant clusters and
university of Peradeniya in Kandy and Hardy Institute at Ampara individual consonants as well. In Sinhala and Tamil languages,
and other universities in the Eastern province influenced the what is written is pronounced in the same way but in English
speaking community. The other factor is more than ninety percent .Excepts six participants from Badulla and Kandy regions, almost
of government officers in Eastern province are from Colombo and all never pounced diphthongs. They straight away replaced them
Kandy who are fluent in English. Even the Muslim community by their Sinhala or Tamil equivalent long vowel sound/s. For
does matter since they are more fluent in English than local example, ,go - /au/ replaced by - /go:/ Sinhala and Tamil do not
Sinhalese. But the participants from Badulla and Trincomalee are have the diphthong so they use long /o:/. Instead of / eɪ/ they used
different since they are less exposed to English speaking long /e:/. Some pronounced women /wimen/ as /women/ etc. etc.
community and less urbanized. It affects their second language In the same way many participants ( except a few) were not
fluency. They tend to use more colloquial or regional ways of worried about /f/ , they replaced it by /p/ eg. photo – poto etc. . At
speaking and writing of their first language. Therefore the standard times they used the total Sinhala or Tamil word in their English
Sri Lankan variety of English is low while in other areas it is speaking. For example, nelakadala for groundnut, poosari for
higher. What is evident here is that the less exposure to urban priest, maulavi for muslim priest etc.The analysis of those
community means their English is localized. phonological constructions depicts the facts that they are very
flexible in using regionalized vocabulary on one hand and using
common Sri Lankan characteristics of speaking and wring tools in
IV. DISCUSSION English on the other hand. These linguistic features could not be
The interview method and test based data collection method seen among the English educated few. Further some Tamil
enhanced the researcher to identify the dialectical variations of participants pronounced some words in a total different way that
English speaking and writing communities of different regions in could be understood only by the participants of that region. It is
Sri Lanka. Though there is a form called Sri Lankan English, it another evidence to support the regional dialectical variations.
differs from region to region due to socio- economic, cultural and 4.3. Syntactic factors
educational factors that influence them along with the linguistic In here the researcher could trace a lot of grammatical
factors. The main reason behind this phenomenon is the influence constructions. At times the participants totally deviated from
of the first language, both Sinhala and Tamil. Thus the main Standard Sri Lankan variety. Many participants were confident
purpose of the researcher in this chapter is to examine how the

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and relaxed to use their regional constructions directly in English c. When learning a second language, the influence of the first
mainly due to first language interference. language is unavoidable unless they are exposed to a native
For example; ‘You know who I?’, ‘ Come and sit here’ ‘ community fully.
You can write to this address.’ etc.. The main purpose further extended to investigate the
These constructions mainly depend on their first language significance of the dialectical variations when using a second
either on Tamil or Sinhala. Another feature is the repetition of the language to express the needs and feelings of the speaker on one
adjectives and nouns. This feature could be seen both in speaking hand and the use of that particular language for academic purposes
and writing. Eg. ‘ We visited different different places.’ , ‘ You and professional careers. Paying attention to all above mentioned
are very very good.’ ‘Think not small small things.’ Also some characteristics the researcher attempted to find out the facts as to
used the question form in their indirect questions too. Eg. ‘She why the tertiary level students knowingly or unknowingly
asked me why did I come?’ These constructions are syntactically adhered to a kind of English dialect with minor deviations from
wrong when compared with Standard English. But regionally they the existing Sri Lankan variety of English.
are accepted and the message is well communicated. It clearly
shows that Sri Lankan variety has regional dialectical variations to
some extent. VI. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Another feature is the wrong use of tags. It is found in every The analysis of data collected in this study helped the
region equally. It clearly indicates our Sri Lankan identity rather researcher recognize the typical characteristics of regional
than dialectical identity eg. ‘You are going home no’ dialectical variations in Sri Lanka to some extent. Based on the
‘You understand, are you?’, ‘You did it, no?’ etc. However findings, the researcher wishes to suggest some recommendations
the writings of all participants had somewhat similar patterns with to preserve the Sri Lankan dialects on one hand and to go for a
minor deviations It shows that writing very rarely differs from world recognition of . Sri Lankan English on the other hand.
region to region except some expressions that are relevant only to According to Manique Gunasekara, Sri Lankan English is the
that area. language used by Sri Lankans who choose to use English for
whatever purpose in Sri Lanka. Regional dialect is the further
deviation of it who use English as their second language who are
V. CONCLUSION generally bilinguals. Their first language is either Sinhala or
The main purpose of this study was to identify the Tamil. The researcher found that they who use English as second
dialectical variations of tertiary level students in their speaking language are influenced by their first language in every aspect of
and writing in Sri Lanka. Though there are a lot of arguments speaking and writing. Therefore, their dialects are a little different
about the identity of Sri Lankan English, many scholars Prof. from Sri Lankan English from region to region. The main reason
Menique Gunaseka, Michael Meylor, Shiromi Fernando, Dr. behind it is the local flavour of the communities. They use a lot
Arjuna Prakrama Prof. Thiru Kandaih etc strongly believe that Sri of loanwords , phonological and morphological structures in both
Lankans use English language deviating from standard British writing and speaking. These features were visible when analysed
Model like other commonwealth countries in the world that are their writing and speaking. According to David Crystal a prestige
greatly influenced by their first languages. According to them , variety of language used within a speech community is a dialect
there is no argument on Sri Lankan variety of English. In this study and those who deviate from it is a sub-dialect. Among the regional
the researcher attempted to see the further deviation from that dialects these evidences could be traced but a total deviation from
language category by selecting a sample of 125 students from five the main dialect could not be traced. In general, most of the
different regions, each group consisting 25 students .(both male minute dialectical variations can be ignored since the researcher
and female) The data collection method was giving a found a lot of similarities among the regional dialects. The
questionnaire and conducting an interview. The collected data researcher feels honest to suggest the respective authorities to take
(spoken and written) were analyzed under different linguistic initiatives to promote Sri Lankan variety rather than going for
categories. The frequency of data under each linguistic category is regional dialectical variations. This would definitely pave the way
tabled and the percentage is worked out. The discussions of for Sri Lankan identity like our sister country India has already
analysis was done by comparing and contrasting among the earned its identity though she is one year older to Sri Lanka’s
groups. The researcher’s main purpose was to find out solutions freedom from British empire.
that arose from the research problem. In conclusion, the researcher aimed at recognizing the
a. How do these dialectical variations occur? regional dialectical variations in Sri Lankan English selecting a
b. How can they be minimized? sample group of 125 students from five different ATIs from
c. How does the first language influences the regional dialects? different regions of Sri Lanka and analysed them under different
linguistic features. But the researcher could not find vast
The researcher was able to form some hypotheses to test the variations of language use except a few dialectical differences
validation of the research set above. depending on the first language ( Tamil or Sinhala) of their
a. The students are book- based learners and they are locality. What it shows is that many Sri Lankan communities who
exposed to many local teachers who learnt English as a second speak English as their first language or second language have
language from local teachers. similar linguistic features in pronunciation, such as , breaking
b.By levelling the unequal facilities and resources for all clusters, replacing diphthongs by Sri Lankan long vowels, using
students in Sri Lanka, the existing little dialectical variations can loanwords etc. etc. Those who use English as the first language
also be minimized. have exposure to language while others do not have. Therefore

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International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 10, Issue 4, April 2020 325
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they have very little variations. Little bit of culture and religion [3] Williams , J. (2003), providing feedback on ESL students’ written
assignments. The internet TESL Journal IX (10), Retrieved
have influenced them a little as well. The researcher accounts them http://iteslj.org/Techniques/ Williams-
as good signs since they may pave the way for Sri Lankan identity.
Thus the researcher suggests to promote a variety of Sri Lankan Electronic References
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[2] Hussein, P. Dictionary of Sri Lankan English. Self- published and sold at
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