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Error Analysis

The document discusses David Crystal's views on varieties of the English language from his lecture in Serbia. Crystal explained that as countries adapt English, their cultures and histories shape the language through changes in vocabulary, grammar, and other features. This leads to many distinct varieties of English worldwide. The variations can cause confusion and errors, even for native speakers encountering an unfamiliar variety. As English spreads globally, awareness of its diverse forms is important for effective communication and language learning.

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JP Garces
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39 views2 pages

Error Analysis

The document discusses David Crystal's views on varieties of the English language from his lecture in Serbia. Crystal explained that as countries adapt English, their cultures and histories shape the language through changes in vocabulary, grammar, and other features. This leads to many distinct varieties of English worldwide. The variations can cause confusion and errors, even for native speakers encountering an unfamiliar variety. As English spreads globally, awareness of its diverse forms is important for effective communication and language learning.

Uploaded by

JP Garces
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Republic of the Philippines

Wesleyan University – Philippines


Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Graduate School

JOHN PATRICK A. GARCES, LPT


MAEd – English Major

Activity No. 2 (World Englishes by David Crystal)

Error Analysis
DR. RUTH ALFONSO

Shapes of English

If people will look around them and they are where they have been born, they can still see
diversity in many aspects: in their manners, races, appearances, ways, status and languages. It really
exists in ones’ place, and when they step their feet in other countries, many get to be confused because
of differences, especially when it comes to language.

The thing behind people’s unity and cooperation is the power of communication through the use
of language/s. However, this could be a hindrance for many people because we all know that there are
different languages used in the world. Talking about the universal language, English is there for the
people in different countries with different races to use and to be able to understand each other, but still,
some tend to have confusion as we have what we call Varieties of English.

David Crystal, a writer, editor, lecturer and broadcaster, talked about English language a lot. He
is known for being knowledgeable when it comes to different aspects of the said language. In his lecture
in Serbia about World Englishes, he said that this language has varieties depending on what cultural and
historical background a country has. He added that if a country adapts the English language, the people
within tend to change and shape the language according to their culture and beliefs.

Because of the variations, even though some people are native speakers of this language, they are
still having a hard time in understanding an English sentence or word. Some countries adapt this
language and make it their own, and this adaptation takes place chiefly in the vocabulary as stated by
Crystal. “If you take a dictionary like the dictionary of South African English, for instance, there are ten
thousand words in that dictionary that are only used in South Africa,” he said. With this, even though
English is used as the language in South Africa, if people from other countries who are also English
speakers are new there, there is a big possibility that they will not be able to understand the words used
by Africans.

“Everywhere, in every country in the world, there is a new variety of English that is going and
growing, which is culturally influenced,” Crystal said. Yes, people know the English language, but it
may be different from the English of other countries. There are some terms or words from one country
that have different meaning/s for others. Aside from making people confused about it, they also tend to
commit errors and be misunderstood.
Republic of the Philippines
Wesleyan University – Philippines
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Graduate School

In reality, people nowadays find it hard to learn the English language. According to Day
Translations, 2018 (www.daytranslation.com), many people, particularly the students, find it difficult to
learn English because of contradictions, rules and exceptions, word order, pronunciation and many
more. Even though the adapted English language is already shaped within their country, they still see
learning English as a task that gives them burden.

Yes, many people know how to speak and write in English and some are actually mindful in
terms of their grammar and pronunciation: however, they still commit errors. The question now is, if
they are already committing errors in using the English language that they know, what more when they
become exposed to the varieties of English in other countries?

According to the study of L. Han (2019), with the development of the English language around
the world, varieties came into the picture. There are South African, New Zealand, Australian, Canadian,
British and American English. These varieties can be distinguished in terms of accent, vocabulary,
grammar, discourse, and sociolinguistics. This means that the characteristics of English language in a
country may have a big difference to that of other countries.

Although one has broad knowledge and good skill in using the English language, it is not
impossible for him or her to make errors, especially when he or she is surrounded with varieties of the
said language. People may know the word, but it may have meaning/s that is/are different from what
they know. If they are not able to know the existing differences, they will remain clueless and will tend
to commit errors continuously.

As an English teacher, I always try to know more not only about the English language that is
adapted and shaped by my country, but also that of other countries. Knowing the differences helps me to
determine and analyze the errors committed by my students. There are times that my students are asking
me about words, accents and grammar rules. It is clearly seen that they are confused as they encounter
different pronunciations, spellings, and terms day by day. Therefore, I am trying my best for them to be
aware of it. Yes, they committed errors because of not having enough knowledge about it. However, as
they become exposed to it, they now know what to use, what to say and what to avoid next time.

David Crystal is right – English has its plural form. He said, “Englishes is very definitely
around.” Why? It is because of diversity. People with different blood have their own view or perspective
about everything around them. So, when they adapt or are influenced by some things, they shape,
modify or add something to make it suitable or appropriate to what they are what they have.

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