English Language Communities and Misunderstandings

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Introduction

English is known as the world’s official language. It is the first language in many countries throughout the globe. These include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, among other countries. No wonder the language is usually referred to as Lingua franca. In addition, its popularity and use have continued to rise throughout the globe. This is mainly attributed to the prominence of the United States.

The language is currently utilized as an official in most unions such as the Commonwealth, the European Union, and the United Nations, among others. In fact, most often globalization has been liked to spread English. This is mainly because most programs marketed globally are done in English. In this respect, it is quite important to note that English is written and spoken by numerous cultures of the world.

Because of this, its use has been dynamic in nature. For instance, English spoken in the UK is slightly different from that of the United States. This has led to (re)creation of language communities. These communities have different values, dialects, and practices, which tend to give rise to different language communities. This paper will try to clear up misconceptions that are brought about by language communities (Nordquist 1).

Language communities

Language communities can be described as different forms of language use. Since English is a global language. Its use varies from one culture to another, leading to the creation of language communities. In essence, over a billion of all users of the English language belong to one or more language communities. This is mainly because most programs marketed globally are done in English. In this respect, it is quite important to note that English is written and spoken by various cultures. Because of this, its use has been dynamic in nature. For instance, English spoken in the UK is slightly different from that of the United States. It is quite important to note that people from different parts of the world may speak the same language but in different speech (Nordquist 1).

In this respect, people may even live in the same area, speak the same language, but do it in different speeches. Moreover, the old are increasingly finding it difficult to understand the language spoken by young generations. In fact, they also find the business language very difficult to comprehend. These examples attest to the fact that society is composed of different language communities.

When students talk between themselves, it is quite difficult for others belonging to different social levels to comprehend. In this regard, it is also quite important to note that language communities do not only vary in terms of culture, but also in age groups, as has been shown above. For this reason, there are varieties of English language communities. Interestingly, people have ways of changing their speech to befit the audience. For instance, from the cases given above, both students and businesspersons have the capabilities of adjusting their language to be comprehended by the aged (Nordquist 1).

The language communities that are the most misunderstood

Several language communities may exist within a given setup. This may depend on the cultural diversity of the speakers and their age bracket as well as profession, among others. In addition, different countries speak a variety of English, which depends on the factors named above. These may include Babu, Welsh, Standard, South African, Irish, Chinese, Hinglish, Chicano, and Australian, among others. Others that depend on age groups and intellectuality include language between college students. For instance, the language of a law student is slightly different from that of history or literature students.

However, they are able to adjust their languages in accordance with the audiences. As a student, I belong to the college language community, which comprises different disciplines. In the college language community, we are able to adjust and understand one another irrespective of our backgrounds. The college community is home to intellectuals, who yearn to make changes in the world. Their language is sometimes professional. Although it is usually mixed with slang, whenever they are in social circles (Nordquist 1).

In this respect, I also belong to the slang language community. Here, students try to shorten words and use them more often to express informal words. It was initially used to express words that were considered substandard to audiences’ and speakers’ language or the dialect. Slang is common among peers, although it is used among people of all age groups. Its use is very common in the United Kingdom among the aged.

However, this is not the same with other communities like those in Africa, where slang is misinterpreted to be disrespectful to the values of society. Most communities are still resistant to modern slang, which is used by most youths in colleges and universities. This has caused concern among the aged as they find it difficult to comprehend. Most critics argue that modern slang as well as college language is abusive to their social values. Moreover, its membership is considered to be of youths who are driven by various desires, believed to be contrary to those of the aged (Nordquist 1).

The language community, its membership, practices, dialects, values, misconceptions and stereotypes

The College language community is home to intellectuals, who yearn to make changes in the world. Their language is sometimes professional depending on where they are. For, an instance in social circles, they tend to use slang to shorten or express some words in a way that they can easily comprehend. Its membership is usually unconditionally restricted to college students. This is mainly because even neighborhood youths of the same age bracket tend to acquire this language.

In essence, membership belongs mainly to youths, irrespective of their cultural and geographical background. The language is mainly practiced in social circles. It involves a mixture of slung with technical terms. In other words, students mix terms learned from different disciplines to develop their college language. The College language community is usually aimed at strengthening the bond between students as well as improving their intellectuality. However, society rarely understands its importance and they are highly stereotyped to its use (Dumas and Lighter, 14-15).

Conclusion

Language communities can be described as different forms of language use. Its use varies from one culture to another, leading to the creation of language communities. In essence, over a billion of all users of the English language usually belong to one or more language communities. The College language community involves a mixture of slung with technical terms. In other words, students mix terms learned from different disciplines to develop their college language.

Most critics argue that modern slang as well as college language is abusive to their social values. Moreover, its membership is considered to be of youths who are driven by various desires believed to be contrary to those of the aged. However, it is quite important to note that these are misconceptions, as a society rarely understands its importance. The College language community strengthens the bond between students as well as improves their intellectuality (ArticlesBase 1).

Works Cited

ArticlesBase. “English Language Communities”. articlesbase. 2008. Web.

Dumas, Bethany, and Lighter, Jonathan. “Is Slang a Word for Linguists?” American Speech 53 (5), 1978, pp. 14–15.

Nordquist, Richard. “speech community”. grammar.about.com. 2011. Web.

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