18 Questions
Which category of countries from the Concentric Circles of English does India fall under?
Outer Circle
Which territories are typically included in the Expanding Circle of English?
China, Japan, Greece
In which setting does English play an important 'second language' role according to the text?
Bilingual and multilingual settings
Which country mentioned in the text has a history of colonization by members of the Inner Circle?
India
What happened to the indigenous languages in Australia after it was colonized by Britain?
English eclipsed all of them
Which statement best describes the elite homes in present-day Nigeria according to the text?
They use only English for communication
Which model is used to classify the different varieties of English, including the Inner Circle, Outer Circle, and Expanding Circle?
Braj Kachru’s Concentric Circles of English
In Kachru's model, which circle includes countries where English is used as the people’s first language, such as the USA and UK?
Inner Circle
Which of the following countries would most likely be classified under the Expanding Circle according to Kachru's model?
Russia
What is one example of a variety of English that is a result of interactions in different speech communities outside its native environment?
Ghanaian English
Which circle would Ghana likely be classified under in Kachru's model of World Englishes?
Outer Circle
In which circle would countries like China, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia be placed according to Kachru's model?
Expanding Circle
Which term refers to the varieties of English spoken in different parts of the world where English has been domesticated?
World Englishes
In what countries is English taught as a foreign language in schools, similar to how French is taught in Nigerian schools?
EFL countries
Which term is used to describe the status of English as a national language in certain parts of the world?
Global English
What is the main reason for the unprecedented increase in the number of English speakers across the globe?
Global spread of English
Which term is used to refer to countries where English is neither an official language nor a medium of instruction in schools?
EFL countries
What are some examples of newer varieties of World Englishes mentioned in the text?
Singaporean English, South African English, Ghanaian English
Study Notes
The Spread of English
- English has become part of core institutions in non-native settings, playing a significant "second language" role in bilingual and multilingual settings.
- The Outer Circle consists of countries where English is used as a second language, such as Malaysia, Singapore, India, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Liberia, which are mostly former colonies of the UK or the USA.
The Expanding Circle
- The Expanding Circle includes territories where English is learnt as a foreign language, such as China, Japan, Greece, and Poland.
- English is taught as a foreign language and is considered the most useful vehicle for international communication in these countries.
English in Australia, America, and Canada
- English is not native to Australia, America, or Canada, but was introduced through colonization.
- In Australia, English has eclipsed over 250 indigenous languages, and the same pattern is seen in America and Canada.
World Englishes
- The interaction of English in different speech communities has led to the development of diverse varieties of English, known as World Englishes.
- Examples of World Englishes include Nigerian English, South African English, Ghanaian English, and Malaysian English.
Kachru's Model of English Varieties
- Braj Kachru's "Concentric Circles of English" model classifies English varieties into three categories: Inner Circle, Outer Circle, and Expanding Circle.
- The Inner Circle includes countries where English is used as the first language, such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- The Outer Circle includes countries where English is used as a second language, such as Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.
- The Expanding Circle includes countries where English is learnt as a foreign language, such as China, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Nepal, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia, and Zimbabwe.
Explore the earlier phases of English spread in non-native settings and its role in bilingual and multilingual environments. Learn about countries in the Outer Circle and the Expanding Circle where English plays a significant 'second language' role. Written by Kehinde A. Ayoola.
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