UNIVERSIDADE SAVE

EXTENSÃO DA MAXIXE

FACULDADE DE LETRAS E CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS

DISTANCE EDUCATION

ENGLISH COURSE – YEAR 1

English Dialects: Exploring Diversity and Variation

Students:

Adolência Sinai Maunze

Louís Luciano Bouane

Lucas Pedro Nhamirre

Querubim Wameia

Rosário Zito Afonso Sigaúque

Teachear: dr. Dércio Armando Salomao Armando

Maxixe, May, 2024

Index
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 1

2 Development ............................................................................................................................ 2

2.1 Types of English Dialects ..................................................................................................... 2

2.1.1 American vs British English .............................................................................................. 2

2.2 Regional Variations .............................................................................................................. 3

2.2.1 American English .............................................................................................................. 3

2.2.2 British English Variation ................................................................................................... 4
2.2.3 Australian English Variation ............................................................................................. 4

2.3 Social and Cultural Influences .............................................................................................. 4

2.4 Dialect Features .................................................................................................................... 5
2.5 Standardization and Prestige ................................................................................................ 5
2.6 Language Change and Evolution .......................................................................................... 5
2.7 Perceptions and Attitudes ..................................................................................................... 5

3 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 6
4 Bibliographic references .......................................................................................................... 7
1 Introduction

Language is a dynamic and ever-evolving phenomenon, with its diversity showcased

through various dialects. Dialects are linguistic varieties that differ in pronunciation,
vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, often influenced by regional, social, and cultural factors. In
the realm of English, dialectal variation adds richness and depth to the language, reflecting the
diverse communities and histories where English is spoken. The present work will
comprehend almost seven sections which are: Types of English Dialects, Regional variations,
Social and cultural influences, Dialects features, Standardization and Pestige, Language
change and evolution and finally, The perceptions and attitudes.

1.1 Objectives

The main purpose of this assignment is to let the reader aware of all issues concerning the
topic "English Dialects".

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2 Development

Language is a way of communicating among people that might be spoken or written

language.
English is a West Germanic language in the Indo-European language family, whose
speakers, called Anglophones, originated in early medieval England. The namesake of the
language is the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the island of
Great Britain.
Dialect refers to a variety of a language in a particular region or area spoken by a group
of English language as well, has its dialects as detailed down.

2.1 Types of English Dialects

English Language has many different dialects, that is, each region has its way of speaking
the English Language.
English dialects can be broadly categorized into major groups such as British English,
American English, Australian English, and others. Each of these groups encompasses a range
of regional variations, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscapes within countries and across
continents.

2.1.1 American vs British English

a) American English

Is what we hear at universities in the United States, which is more used by students than
any other country. Down we have some notably American English features:
Pronunciation: When there is a “t” sound in the middle of the word, it often gets
pronounced more as a “d” sound – so “butter” sounds like “budder” and “water” sounds like
“wadder”.

b) British English

This is the regional dialect spoken in the United Kingdom, and it’s one of the most
widely studied by learners around the world. It’s also similar to the Englishes of many
commonwealth countries namely Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Pronunciation: the letter “r” is usually only pronounced when there is a vowel right after
it. This leads to longer, or more stretched-out sounding, vowels than other dialects (like

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American English). So in words “bar” and “dark” you don’t really hear “r” sound in British
English, but American English it is audible.
In case you need to enhance your wisdom about the varieties of English you can check
out TV series and music from those places.

2.2 Regional Variations

Within a single country, English dialects exhibit remarkable diversity. For instance, in the
United Kingdom, dialects vary significantly between regions such as Yorkshire, London, and
Scotland. Similarly, in the United States, dialectal differences are evident between Southern
English, New England English, and Midwestern English, among others. Some examples of
Regional Variations are here:

2.2.1 American English

Variation: American English has regional variations such as Southern American English,
New York City English, Midwestern American English, Boston/New England accents,
African American Vernacular (AAVE), California English.

 Southern American English: Common in the southern United States, characterized

by features like "y'all" (you all) and pronunciations such as "Ah" instead of "I" in words like
"ride" (pronounced" rahd").
 New York City English: Associated with New York City, featuring distinctive
accents such as the dropping of the R sound in words like "water" (pronounced "waw-tuh").
 Boston/New England Accents: Found in the north eastern United States, known for
the use of terms like "wicked" to mean "very" and the distinct pronunciation of words like
"car" (pronounced "cah").
 African American Vernacular English (AAVE): Spoken by many African
Americans, characterized by unique grammatical structures, vocabulary, and pronunciation
features like "finna" (going to) and "aks" (ask).
 Midwestern American English: Found in the central region of the United States,
often associated with a general American accent and features like the raising of vowels in
words like "bag"(pronounced "bayg").
 California English: Common in California and the West Coast, known for features
like the use of "like" as a filler word and the pronunciation of "r" sounds in words like "surf"
(pronounced "serf").
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2.2.2 British English Variation

Spoken in the United Kingdom, this dialect includes variations such as Cockney,
Yorkshire, West Country, Received Pronunciation, Brummie, Geordie, and Estuary English.

 Cockney: Associated with East London, characterized by dropping the H sound at the
beginning of words (e.g., "ouse"for" house") and using rhyming slang (e.g., "apples and pears
"for" stairs").
 Yorkshire: Common in the north of England, known for its distinct pronunciation of
vowels and phrases like "eyup" for "hello" and "owt" for "anything."
 West Country: Found in the southwestof England, known for its use of "thee" and
"thou" and distinctive phrases like "gurtlush" meaning "verynice."
 Received Pronunciation (RP): Also known as the Queen's English or BBC English,
this is often considered the standard British accent used in broad casting and formal settings.
 Estuary English: Common in the south east of England, it blends elements of
Cockney with RP, characterized by dropping some Cockney features while maintaining a
distinctive accent.

2.2.3 Australian English Variation

Reflecting the unique culture and history of Australia, this dialect includes variations such as
Strine and broad Australian accents.

 Broad Australian English (General Australian): This is the standard accent of

Australian English, commonly heard in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It
is characterized by its non-rhotic (r-dropping) pronunciation and the use of common
Australian slang and expressions.
 Strine: A play f l term for Australian English, Strine is characterized by its distinctive
pronunciation and slang. It often involves dropping syllables or merging words, such as "G'
day" for" Good day " and "barbie" for "barbecue."
 West Australian Dialect: Includes features like the pronunciation of "i" as "oi" (e.g.,
"boi" for "boy").

2.3 Social and Cultural Influences

The development of English dialects is intricately linked to social and cultural factors.
Social class, ethnicity, historical events, migration patterns, and contact with other languages
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all contribute to the unique features of dialects. For example, urban dialects often exhibit
linguistic features influenced by multiculturalism and language contact.

2.4 Dialect Features

Linguistic features differentiate dialects, including pronunciation (phonology),

vocabulary (lexicon), grammar (syntax), and sentence structure. For instance, differences in
vowel sounds or the use of particular words and expressions can distinguish one dialect from
another.

2.5 Standardization and Prestige

Standard English, often associated with formal education and media communication,
represents a standardized form of the language. However, it's important to recognize that
dialectal variation is a natural and valuable aspect of language, and all dialects are legitimate
forms of communication, each with its own linguistic richness and complexity.

2.6 Language Change and Evolution

Dialects are not static; they undergo continuous change and evolution. Language contact,
globalization, technological advancements, and cultural shifts contribute to ongoing dialectal
variation and linguistic innovation. Over time, certain dialectal features may become more
prominent or recede, reflecting broader societal changes.

2.7 Perceptions and Attitudes

Attitudes towards dialects vary widely. While some dialects are esteemed and associated
with cultural identity and pride, others may face stigmatization or discrimination. Addressing
linguistic prejudices and fostering appreciation for dialectal diversity is crucial for promoting
linguistic inclusivity and understanding.

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3 Conclusion

In general English can be the divided into three general dialects groups which are:
regional, social and ethnic dialect.
English dialects embody the richness and complexity of human language, reflecting the
diverse communities and histories they emerge from. By exploring the intricacies of dialectal
variation, we gain a deeper appreciation for the dynamic nature of language and the diverse
voices that shape our linguistic landscape.

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4 Bibliographic references

 Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language.

 Labov, W. (2012). Principles of linguistic change: Cognitive and cultural factors.
 Trudgill, P. (2000). Sociolinguistics: An introduction to language and society.