Kachru's Circle Quiz and Flashcards: Theories of English in the World

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of Kachru's Circles model?

To promote a specific dialect of English

To explore the origins of the English language

To teach English grammar

To classify the ways English is used throughout the world (correct)

How many circles are included in Kachru's Circles model?

Two

Four

Three (correct)

One

What does the 'Expanding circle' represent in Kachru's Circles model?

Countries where English is a second language

Countries where English is taught as a foreign language (correct)

Countries with English as an official language

Countries where English is the native language

Which circle in Kachru's Circles model includes countries like India and Singapore?

Outer circle Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the 'Inner circle' countries according to Kachru's model?

English is widely used in public domains Signup and view all the answers

Which circle in Kachru's model identifies China and Russia as examples?

'Expanding circle' Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate total number of English speakers in the USA and UK combined?

320-380 million Signup and view all the answers

Which circle, according to Kachru's model, includes countries where English plays no historical or governmental role but is widely used for international communication?

Expanding Circle Signup and view all the answers

Which group of countries serves as the norm-providing base for the development of English language norms?

Inner Circle countries like UK and US Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the function of English in the Outer Circle countries according to the text?

Second language Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of Chinglish involves the sounds of the English alphabet being changed in pronunciation?

'Z' becomes a 'J' Signup and view all the answers

Why is English used as a lingua franca in Outer Circle countries?

As a colonial legacy for administrative purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which region is NOT part of the Inner Circle countries based on the text?

India Signup and view all the answers

What is Kachru's model used for according to the text?

'Norms' of English standards Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a mix of Chinese and English, such as 'Chinglish'?

'Chinlish' Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of English in Expanding Circle countries based on the text?

'Plays no historical or governmental role but widely used' Signup and view all the answers

What are the Inner Circle countries according to Kachru's model?

United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, English-speaking regions of Canada and South Africa, and some Caribbean territories Signup and view all the answers

Which regions are considered part of the Outer Circle in Kachru's Circles model?

India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Tanzania, Singapore, Kenya, and the Afrikaans-speaking regions of South Africa Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a mix of Japanese and English, as mentioned in the text?

Japlish Signup and view all the answers

How does Chinglish differ in its use of tenses compared to Standard English?

Chinglish only uses the present and future tense Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of English in Expanding Circle countries?

Widely used as a medium of international communication Signup and view all the answers

Which book by Jennifer Jenkins discusses the growing variety of English, particularly related to Chinese speakers?

Global English (2015) Signup and view all the answers

What are some features of Chinglish mentioned in the text?

Prolongs some vowel sounds, changes the sounds of the English alphabet, uses 'the' as a filler, describes past actions with adverbs, and uses expressions like 'aiya' for feelings Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Outer Circle countries in terms of English language norms?

Norm-developing Signup and view all the answers

Which circle in Kachru's model includes countries where English is not the native tongue but serves as a lingua franca?

Outer Circle Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated total number of English speakers in the USA and UK combined?

320-380 million Signup and view all the answers

What are the three circles in Kachru's Circles model and what do they represent?

The three circles are the 'Expanding circle', 'Outer circle', and 'Inner circle'. They represent different contexts in which English is used: as a foreign language, as a second language, and in countries where English is the official language. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the 'Expanding circle' in Kachru's Circles model.

The 'Expanding circle' represents countries where English is used as a foreign language, such as China and Russia. It signifies English as a language learned for international communication. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the 'Outer circle' countries according to Kachru's model?

The 'Outer circle' countries, like India and Singapore, have English as a second language. English is widely used in various public domains, although not as the primary language. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of the 'Inner circle' in Kachru's Circles model.

The 'Inner circle' includes countries like the UK and USA where English is the official language. It is spoken as the native language by the majority of the population. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of 'Colonial Legacy' as it relates to English in the 'Outer circle' countries.

In the 'Outer circle' countries, English serves as a result of colonialism and is used in public domains like media, administration, and education due to historical influence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main contribution of Kachru's Circles model to the study of English in the world?

Kachru's Circles model provides a framework for understanding the global spread and usage of English in different contexts, highlighting its diverse roles and functions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kachru's Circles (Braj Kachru, 1985)

Kachru's model is used to classify the ways English is used throughout the world.
The model consists of three circles: the Inner Circle, the Outer Circle, and the Expanding Circle.

Inner Circle

English is the native language, or mother tongue, of most people in these countries.
The total number of English speakers in these regions is approximately 380 million.
Countries in the Inner Circle include the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, English-speaking regions of Canada and South Africa, and some Caribbean territories.

Outer Circle

English is regarded as a second language in these regions, where much of the administration is through the medium of English, mainly as a colonial legacy.
Countries in the Outer Circle include India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Tanzania, Singapore, Kenya, and the Afrikaans-speaking regions of South Africa.
English is not the native tongue in these areas, but serves as a useful common language - the lingua franca - between ethnic and language groups.

Expanding Circle

These are countries where English plays no historical or governmental role, but where it is nevertheless widely used as a medium of international communication.
Countries in the Expanding Circle include China, Russia, Japan, most of Europe, Korea, Egypt, and Indonesia.
Learners of English in the Expanding Circle adopt some of its language features for speaking or writing but incorporate their native language, too.

Language Norms

The issue of language norms is central to the standards of English, and whether they come from one source, such as Standard British English, or from any group speaking English across the globe.
The most generally held view is that Kachru's circles model reflects the English language norms in the following ways:
- The Inner Circle (e.g. UK, US) is norm-providing, which means that English language norms are developed in these countries and spread outwards.
- The Outer Circle (e.g. India and Nigeria) is norm-developing, easily adopting and perhaps developing its own norms.

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Description

Learn about Kachru's Circles model introduced by Braj Kachru in 1985, which classifies the global use of English. Explore how English is used in different contexts around the world. Apply this theory to analyze English in diverse cultural settings.

Theories of English in the World: Kachru’s Circles