Learning The Language of the Internet – Language Article
Maybe you’re new to computers. Maybe you’re new to using an Instant Message program. Maybe you’re wondering what your children are saying online, but it’s all written in some weird looking code!
Accents – Language Article
Are British accents or American accents preferable for ESL learners?
If you are learning English as a second language (ESL) the question of English accents, and whether you should take on a British accent or an American accent, becomes important. Most often the English language is either spoken with an American accent from the United States or with a British accent from England, but English varies immensely. British accents vary from city to city, and American accents vary from state to state, so really there is no superior or preferential English accent. There are also Canadian accents, Australian accents, Scottish accents, Irish accents, South African accents, and New Zealand accents which all have unique sounds and need to be considered when learning English.
Received Pronunciation – Accents – Language Article
Received Pronunciation and the Accent of the Royal Baby
People around the world are celebrating the arrival of Prince William and the Duchess of Cornwall’s son, a shiny new royal baby for the press to pester. Most people are excited to see what the baby will look like (gorgeous no doubt), but others are wondering how the baby will eventually sound. Will he speak ‘The Queen’s English’?
How Could We Say That? – Language Article
In Glasgow one of the recent best selling books over the last few years was William Laughton Lorimer’s ‘The New Testament in Scots’. Here is his description of John the Baptist from Mark’s Gospel:-
- “John wis cleadit in a raploch coat o caumel’s hair an hed a lethern girth about his weyst, an locusts an foggie-bees’ hinnie wis aa his fairin.”
Different ‘Englishes’
Features That Distinguish Different ‘Englishes’ and How Easy it is to Identify Varieties
The English language has sprung many varieties in the form of accents, dialects, pidgins and Creoles. Each accent or dialect is distinct in its own right, yet when compared with other accents or dialects there are obvious similarities; the same is true of pidgins and Creoles. The grammar, syntax and prosody all show variation in different Englishes. There are also other factors to consider such as social, historical and topographical influences. This article by the author of explores the features of different ‘Englishes’ and how easy it is to identify the varieties.