Scribd
Upload
14 views2 pages

Exploring Texts Reflecting Different Cultures: Three Concentric Circles of English

exploring text in different cultures

Uploaded by

Ruth Miatapal
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
14 views2 pages

Exploring Texts Reflecting Different Cultures: Three Concentric Circles of English

exploring text in different cultures

Uploaded by

Ruth Miatapal
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
You are on page 1/ 2

EXPLORING TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT CULTURES

THREE CONCENTRIC CIRCLES OF ENGLISH

The Asian context, the famous “Three Concentric Circles of Asian Englishes” attributed to
Kachru presents the three circles: Inner Circle with ENL(English as a Native Language) member
countries; the Outer Circle with ESL(English as a Second Language ) member countries; and the
Expanding Circle with EFL(English as a Foreign Language) member countries. It is then
understood that people have different linguistic and cultural backgrounds making intercultural
communication a significant variable in communication.
EXPLORING TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT CULTURES
Speakers of different varieties of English have different ways of pronouncing the words. This is
so because of the differences in phonology. Kachru and Nelson (2006, p) claimed that in terms
of pronunciation, most Outer- and Expanding- Circle varieties , display differences from the
Inner-Circle varieties, similar to those found between regional dialects within the Inner-Circle
varieties. These differences may lead to grammatical consequences affecting comprehension.
For instance, among Singaporean and Malaysian speakers of English, a feature noted is
simplification of final consonant clusters, e. [lef] for left and [pick] for picked. Such is also the
case in Philippine English. Interpretations then vary because of differences in pronunciation. If
one says “hit it” instead of “heat it” or “She ass” instead of “She asks,” miscommunication is
likely to happen.
In Philippine languages, every vowel is pronounced with full distinct sound. Filipinos pronounce
words as they are written or spelled out making it syllable-timed and not stress-timed.
American, on the other hand, blend syllables or sometimes even drop some sounds making the
syllables short. Below are the some of the examples:
American English: Gotcha!
Philippine English: Got you!
American English: Watche say?
Philippine English: What did she say?
American English: Wherd yu go?
Philippine English: Where did you go?
American English: Ja hitit?
Philippine English: Did you hit it?
American English: Can I getche adrink?
Philippine English: Can I get you a drink?
A cultural barrier does not only pertain to differing languages. It may also be in the form of
cultural practice or even a bodily gesture. For instance, in English-speaking countries and even
in the Philippines, the thumbs-up gesture signals approval. However, it is considered offensive in
the other countries such as Greece, Italy, and in some parts of the Middle East. Likewise, making
a circle with one’s thumb and forefinger generally means okay in many Western cultures but
this is not so in countries like Japan where it is interpreted as a sign for money, and in some
Arab cultures as a threat. Thus, one should be careful in using bodily gestures.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL LANGUAGE


Your purpose for communication and the relationship you have with the listener/ readers will
determine if you are to use formal or informal language .
For Example: When you are in a gymnasium and a teenager offers you a seat, you acknowledge
the kind of gesture by saying. “Thanks for the seat”. However, if you are in an academic forum
and an organizer offers you a seat you say. “Thank you very much, Sir or Ma’am.
When speaking impromptu on a certain topic, you should use ordinary conversational language.
However if you are to give a lecture in a conference, your language should be informal. In the
same manner that when you write your speech and your purpose is to inform your audience on
climate change, it is expected that your language is formal. In contrast, if your speech is meant
to entertain your listeners on a light topic, your language should be informal.

You might also like