Lesson 2:

Communication and Globalization

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 Explain how globalization effect communication and vice versa;
 Identify the features of the major English varieties;
 Express respect and appreciation to the World Englishes; and
 Use Standard English.

Introduction
This lesson focuses on the implications of globalization on communication.
You will learn and be aware of the role and status of English as a global language,
the notion of World Englishes, and the need for a standard form in academic and
professional writing.

LET’S GET STARTED!

I. Aside from communication, globalization is another terminology that you have
encountered countless times in your academic life. But did you also know that
these terms are bound together in many ways? For this activity, draw a graphic
organizer showing the relationship of the two terms. Make use of relevant words
or phrases, and the necessary shapes and lines to illustrate such connection.
II. Indeed, the concepts of communication and globalization are very much
connected. Based on your graphic organizer, answer the following:
1. How does globalization affect communication?
2. How does communication affect globalization?
3. Is there only one correct form of English? Explain.

LET’S READ!
I. Globalization
Globalization has affected us in many ways. Airfare has become cheaper, and
one can travel internationally more than once could in the past. Many Filipinos have
decided to work or live abroad, with some of them migrating to other countries. The
free trade of goods and services all over the world has brought multinational
companies and foreign investors to our shores. Because of all these factors, it is
imperative to be aware of the differences between our culture and the rest of the
world’s cultures.
Because of the advent of the internet, the world seems to be shrinking
continually. One can communicate internationally in a matter of seconds, whether
one is sending an email, chatting in social media, or sending a text message. One
can read about different cultures, and have access to films, academic papers, and
the like from countries around the world, and vice versa. Given this increasingly
shrinking world, one should know the difference between the kind of Englishes that
exist outside of the Philippines.
II. World Englishes
The term World Englishes refers to the differences in the English language that
emerge as it is used in various contexts across the world. Scholars of World
Englishes identify the varieties of English used in different sociolinguistic contexts,
analyzing their history, background, function, and influence.
Languages develop to fulfill the needs of the societies that use them. Because
societies contain a diverse range of social needs, and because these needs can
differ across cultures and geographies, multiple varieties of the English language
exist. These include American English, British English, Australian English, Canadian
English, Indian English, and so on.
While there is no single way for a new variety of English to emerge, its
development can generally be described as a process of adaptation. A certain group
of speakers take a familiar variety of English and adapt the features of that variety to
suit the needs of their social context.
For example, a store selling alcoholic beverages is called a “liquor store” in
American English, whereas it is called an “off-license” in British English. The latter
term derives from British law, which distinguishes between businesses licensed to
sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises and those licensed for
consumption at the point of sale (i.e., bars and pubs).
Such variations do not occur in terms of word choice only. They happen also in
terms of spelling, pronunciation, sentence structure, accent, and meaning. As new
linguistic adaptations accumulate over time, a distinct variety of English eventually
emerges. World Englishes scholars use a range of different criteria to recognize a
new English variant as an established World English. These include the
sociolinguistic context of its use, its range of functional domains, and the ease with
which new speakers can become acculturated to it, among other criteria.
A. British and American English
The two most well-known varieties of English are those of the colonial
superpowers: British English and American English. But there are many multilingual
countries around the world in which varieties of English have developed. This may
be because English was initially “transported” to that country by English-speaking
settlers- as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It could also
be that English may have been brought to that country as a language of conquest by
English speaking colonizers- as in South Africa, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore,
and the Philippines. In the latter countries, English has a particular role as official
language, medium of instruction, or even language of law and government. English
is also studies as a foreign language in some non-English speaking countries, such
as Holland and Yugoslavia, and in Korea and Japan. In these countries, there is less
exposure to English, and it is often learned for career progression because it is the
language of international business.
All of these World Englishes are equal in functionality, but not all are equal in
prestige. The idea, however, in writing, is to adhere to the Standard English of one’s
country because each variety, including those of the united states and United
Kingdom, has its own peculiar or individual features. These include differences in
spelling, punctuation, favored words and expressions, and sometimes,
grammatical constructions. Here are some examples:
Aspect American English (US) British English (UK)
Date March 2, 2017 2 March 2017
Spelling center, color, organize, centre, colour, organise,
program, traveled programme, travelled
Vocabulary elevator, pants, diaper, lift, trousers, nappy, holiday,
vacation, apartment, college, flat, university, postbox,
mailbox, soccer, cookie football, biscuit
Expression/ Local ruffled feathers (agitated) knickers in a twist (agitated)
idiom
Grammar Do you have that book? Have you got that book?
Pronunciation vase (sounds like VEYZ) vase (sounds like VAHZ)
Thus, two English speakers- one from the US and the other from the UK- may
become confused when encountering the other’s unfamiliar accent and word choices
in a conversation and when seeing different spelling and punctuation conventions in
writing.
B. Philippine English
Philippine English, as well, has its unique and idiosyncratic usages. For example,
“comfort room” is a Philippine term of “washroom,” “toilet,” or “lavatory.” When
Filipinos say, “There’s traffic,” they mean “There’s heavy traffic.” Moreover, the word
“salvage” in the Philippine context can mean either “to save” or to “brutally murder,
usually for political reasons.” Matthew Sutherland, who writes about Philippine
English from an Englishman’s perspective, talks about the expression, “for a while,”
which he says baffles foreigners because the expression does not exist outside of
the Philippines. The UK’s equivalent, he says, is “just a second” or “just a moment”
(quoted in Aguilar, 2004). Similarly, Sutherland notes that “for a while” is frequently
used in the Philippines on the telephone, whereas in the UK, the more typical
expression would be “hold on” or “hand on” (quoted in Aguilar, 2004). Importantly, he
mentions that these British idiomatic equivalents would be just as baffling to hose
unfamiliar with these usages. Filipinos might, in response to being told to “hang on,”
may very well ask, “Hang on to what?”
 Sutherland also notes that “every English-speaking nation has its own set of
English phrases and idioms: English is equally idiosyncratic in, say, India, Jamaica,
Zimbabwe, or Singapore. In other words, there is no wrong way of speaking English
as long as those who speak it understand each other. In fact, Sutherland says, “The
many versions of English spoken around the globe merely serve to make English
have an even richer tongue.”
C. The Standard English
However, the fact that all varieties of English have individual or peculiar usages is
why it is important- in the context of academic and professional writing- to follow a
standard. This standard advocates the use of consistent spelling and punctuation
system. It also avoids colloquial and informal usages, eschewing these in favor of
more widely understood uses or explaining such uses for the reader if it becomes
necessary to use them in writing.
The label for this variety is Standard English or- depending on the region-
Standard American English, Standard British English, or Standard Philippine English.
This is defined as consisting of “the conventional vocabulary and usage of educated
speakers and writers of English” (Roberts & Turgeon, 1998). To use this kind of
English means to follow a spelling or punctuation system that is consistent with the
prescribed standard. For example, Standard Philippine English follows Standard
American usages for spelling, punctuation, and the formatting of dates. In terms of
grammar and diction, Standard English “does not include slang, vulgarisms,
regionalisms, and other constrictions that are considered… unorthodox by those
seeking a language acceptable to a general audience” (Roberts & Turgeon, 1998). In
general, then, writers should avoid local idioms, expressions, and constructions like
those examples mentioned, and essentially, to use words that will be clearly
understood by English speakers from any region of the world.

LET’S REMEMBER!
In summary, in everyday speech and informal contexts, one is free to use his or
her own variety of English. However, in more formal writing contexts, one should be
able to identify which features of this variety may not be understood by English
speakers of English and to use alternatives that will be understood by a wide
audience.

LET’S DO IT
I. Tell whether the following sentences contain features of American, British, or
Filipino English. (5 items)
1. We will organise the Colour Fun Run.
2. Did you take out my pants from the laundry?
3. For while I will just call my manager.
4. I walked out of the lift soaking wet.
5. I will go ahead. Bye!
II. Change the following statements to more standard forms. (5 items)
1. The students are asked to close the aircon.
2. I bought some dirty ice cream for you.
3. There’s traffic in EDSA.
4. I’ll go ahead.
5. Do you have a pentel pen?
III. Write a slogan expressing respect and appreciation to all English varieties.
Sources/References:
 Santos & Uychoco (2018). Communication for society. Manile: Rex Book
Store, Inc.
 Purdue Writing Lab. (n.d.). World Englishes: An Introduction. Retrieved
August 17, 2020, from
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/english_as_a_second_language/world_englishes/
index.html