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British English refers to the different forms of English spoken in the British Isles. In particular
it often refers to the written Standard English and the pronunciation known as Received Pronunciation (RP). The term is often used to make a distinction from American English; in such context the written form is sometimes called
International English, since few other English-speaking
countries have adopted the changes in spelling introduced by nineteenth century U.S. lexicographers. This article deals with British English in the stricter sense.
Written language
The written language is known as Standard English and dates back to the early 16th century in its current form. It is
primarily based on dialects from the South East of England and is used by newspapers and official publications. Standard written
English is basically the same in every English-speaking country, apart from a few minor points of spelling, such as
colo(u)r, travel(l)er.
Dialects
The British Isles are the most linguistically diverse area in the English-speaking world. Significant changes in accent and
dialect may occur within one region.
Three major divisions are normally classified as Southern English dialects, Northern English dialects, and Scottish English
and the closely related dialects of the Scots language.
There is also Hiberno-English (English as spoken in Ireland) and the form of English used in Wales, as
well as Ulster Scots (a variety of Scots spoken in
Ulster).
The various English dialects differ in the words, which they have borrowed from other languages. The Scottish and Northern
dialects include many words originally borrowed from Old Norse and a few borrowed
from Scots Gaelic. Hiberno-English includes words derived
from Irish Gaelic.
There are thus many differences between the various English dialects. These can be a major impediment to understanding among
the older dialects. However, modern communications and mass media have reduced these differences significantly. In addition,
speakers of very different dialects may modify their speech, and particularly vocabulary, towards Standard English.
Accent
The accent known to many people outside the United Kingdom as British English is Received Pronunciation, which is defined as the educated spoken English of southeastern England.
Earlier it was held as better than other accents and referred to as the King's (or Queen's) English, or even "BBC English". Originally this was the form
of English used by radio and television. However, for several decades other accents have been accepted and are frequently heard,
although stereotypes about the BBC persist. English spoken with a mild Scottish accent has a reputation for being especially easy
to understand.
Even in the south east there are significantly different accents. The local inner east London accent called Cockney is strikingly different from Received Pronunciation and can be difficult for
outsiders to understand.
There is a new form of accent called Estuary English that has been
gaining prominence in recent decades: it is has some features of Received Pronunciation and some of Cockney. In London itself, the broad local accent is still changing, partly influenced by Caribbean speech.
Londoners speak with a mixture of these accents, depending on class, age,
upbringing, and so on.
Outside the south east there are, in England alone, at least seven families of accents easily distinguished by natives:
See Distinguishing accents in
English
English outside the British Isles
American English, Canadian English, Australian English,
New Zealand English, Caribbean English, Indian English, and Pidgin English are among the many newer English dialects that have emerged
since the period of emigration from the British Isles during the
expansion of the British Empire. Dialect differences are not, in
general, an impediment to understanding among the newer overseas dialects, which are for the most part, linguistically very close
to each other since, apart from Pidgin, they are all based on Standard English. For examples of differences however, see American and British English
differences. A literate, educated English speaker will generally know many forms. Due to the wide reach of US media vis-à-vis
the more limited impact of contemporary British culture in the US, knowledge of American English in Britain is more common than
the reverse.
Literature
- J. C. Wells: Accents of English. Volume II: The British Isles., Cambridge University Press, 1982
External links
See Also
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