Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, Inc.

Quezon Drive, Calero, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

www.scmbt.edu.ph / [email protected] / [email protected]

SUBJECT: Purposive Communication DATE:

MODULE #: 2 TEACHER: Ms. Judith Mae R. Zamora

I. TOPIC: Communication and Globalization

World Englishes
Culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language

II. TARGET LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:
1. Understand the implications of globalization on communication.
2. Explain the notion of World Englishes in the context of English being a global language.
3. Use Standard English and bias-free language in writing.

IV. MATERIALS NEEDED AND REFERENCES

Uychoco, Marikit Tara A., Santos, Maria Lorena.Communication for Society. Nicanor
Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Sore, Inc. 2018.

Pascual, Janet C. et al. Purposive Communication.Barangka Drive, Mandaluyong City:

Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.2016

V. GEAR UP YOUR MIND

World Englishes
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.
The table that follows gives an example of some of these differences for an American
English and British English.
Aspect American English (US) British English (UK)
Punctuation She said, “I’ll be at work by 8 She said “I’ll be at work by 8
a.m.” a.m.”
Date March 2, 2017 2 March 2017
Spelling center, color, organize, centre, colour, organise,
program programme
Words elevator, pants, diaper lift, trousers, nappy
Expression/Local Idiom ruffled feathers (agitated) knickers in a twist (agitated
Grammar Do you have that book? Have you got that book?
Pronunciation (irrelevant in Vase/vãs/ - sounds like VEYZ Vase /va:z/] – sounds like
writing) VAHZ
 Philippine English as well has its unique and idiosyncratic usages. For example, “comfort
room” is a Philippine term for “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 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 “hang on” (quoted
in Aguilar, 2004).
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 other speakers of English and to use alternatives
that will be understood by a wider audience.

Culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language

Just as important as awareness of the existence of World Englishe s is that of practicing
cultural sensitivity. To write in a culturally sensitive way means to be aware that cultural differences
and similarities between people exist and that these should not be assigned to a positive or
negative value via words and descriptions selected in writing.
Here are some general principles to follow when referring to different groups or categories.
1. Race and Ethnicity

Racism is a form of discrimination against a person or persons of a different race. In

general, it is best to avoid identifying people by race or ethnic group. Race is an
emotionally charged topic, so it is best to tread carefully with the language used.

Next, one must be attuned to the current terminology by which racial and ethnic groups
refer to themselves. This may be done by reading national newspapers and watching
television news, which typically are good indicators of current and preferred usage. For
example, for a long time, “Native American” has been considered the politically correct
term for the indigenous peoples of the Americas over the label “Red Indian.” But today,
most native American people prefer to be referred to by their specific nation or tribe. In the
Philippine context, there have been shifts in the preferences for terms that Filipinos of
Chinese ancestry use to describe their identity: from Tsino, to Chinoy, to Filipino Chinese.

It is also important to be sensitive to religion when referring to various ethnic groups.

Assumptions should not be made that stereotype a race, nationality, or ethnic group with a
specific religion. For example, not all Arabs are Muslims, not all Indians are Buddhists, and
not all Filipinos are Roman Catholics.

2. Gender and Sexual Orientation

Sexism refers to the prejudice and discrimination based on sex or gender. To be inclusive
of all people in general references, one should favour gender-neutral words and phrases
over gender-biased words. For example, rather than “man-made,” one can say
“manufactured,” “synthetic,” or “artificial”. Instead of “layman’s terms,” one can use
“ordinary terms.” Neutral words should also be chosen over words with “man” and
“woman” in job titles or descriptions. For example, it is more appropriate to use
“chairperson” in place of “chairman,” “flight attendant” in place of “stewardess,” and “labor”
 in place of “manpower.” One should also avoid sexist terms like “woman lawyer” and “male
nurse” and simply use “lawyer” and “nurse.”

3. Social Class

Class discrimination or classism is a form of prejudice against a person or people because

of their social class. An example of language with a bias against class is the American
term “white trash,” which is not only a racial or slur but a classist one that refers to white
people, usually from the rural Southern United States, coming from a lower social class
inside the white population. The term is negative not just because of the words that
comprise it but because of its connotation of danger; white trash people are seen as
criminal, unpredictable, and without respect for authority.

4. Age

Ageism is a form of discrimination against other people because of their age, or assuming
that older people are less physically, intellectually, or emotionally able than other age
groups. The capabilities of younger people should also not be underestimated on the basis
of their age. When referring to a generic group, one should also ask their subjects what
wordings they prefer: Do they wish to be called “older persons” or “senior citizens”? Do
they prefer the label “youths,” “teenagers,” or “young people”?

Lastly, according to the American Psychological Association, writers should be specific

when referring to males and females in terms of their age: female 18 years or older are
women, not girls. “Girls” refers to those in high school or younger (under 18). The same is
true for “boys” and “man.”

5. Disabilities

Discrimination in this area often arises because of lack of understanding and awareness.
“A Guide to Bias-Free Communications” published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
defines the terms “impairment,” “disability,” and “handicap” as, respectively, (1) “a
physiological condition,” (2) “the consequence of an impairment” which “may or may not be
handicapping,” and (3) “the social implication of a disability; a condition or barrier imposed
by society, the environment or oneself.

Finally, when referring to people with disabilities, the focus should be on the person, not
the condition (Arinto, 2009). In Patricia Arinto’s English for the Professions (2009), she
advises the writers to avoid hurtful expressions such as “retards” or even the seemingly
neutral description “the mentally retarded” and to use instead “people with mental
retardation.” Similarly, instead of “the blind” and “cancer patients,” one should instead use
“people with vision impairments” and “people being treated for cancer,” respectively.