Section C Essay: Question 2. 30 marks.
Why is Standard English perceived as intrinsically superior to other varieties? Discuss the contexts in which non-standard varieties are more appropriate than Standard English.
“When communicating with friends and family, online or in other informal situations, “vernacular” or “colloquial” language is more appropriate… Not everyone will attain the vocabulary of Sir Humphrey Appleby or the linguistic style of Wordsworth, and while the use of highly vernacular language by others may be frustrating or grating, attempts to force people to speak or write in certain ways are usually met with resistance or resentment.” – Brendan Black, National Times, December 2 2010
“At least 3 major aeroplane crashes have been blamed on poor communication and misunderstanding… Speaking some English is not enough. It has to be the right kind of English, one agreed on by all flying nations.” – Philip Gooden, the Story of English: How the English Language Conquered the World
“All varieties have the same potential for complexity and richness of expression and there are no linguistic grounds for saying one is better than another. A non-standard dialect is as valid a communication system as the Standard. All dialects have rules; they just do things differently. Sentences like ‘I done all the cookin’ meself’ or ‘I don’t want nothin’ to eat’ are not errors of English, but errors of Standard English and labels like ‘sloppy’ and ‘bad’ are not only offensive but scientifically wrong-headed” – Kate Burridge, Proper English: Rhetoric or Reality?, 2003
The Standard English can be perceived, exclusively to prescriptivists, as intrinsically superior to other varieties due to the fact that it serves a vital purpose in many aspects of life; a standard language can be utilized as a vehicle of information delivery or as a common means of education, to name a few instances. While prescriptivists have good reason to place a high value of Standard English, there are also applicable circumstances wherein non-Standard varieties are far more appropriate to use as opposed to Standard English. Particularly in such a multi-cultural and diverse society in Australia, “when communicating with… family, ‘vernacular’ language is more appropriate” (Brendon Black, National Times). Similarly, the disregarded social dialect of Teenspeak is another form of colloquial, non-standard English that is far better suited for those that fit in with this age group.
Solid intro, but is SE only valued by prescriptivists?The Standard English, equipped with grammatically correct rules and usage, is undoubtedly seen as a superior variety. Philip Gooden in ‘the Story of English: How the English Language conquered the World’, attributes the necessity of properly and correctly speaking ‘the right kind of English’ as it could have prevented miscommunication and its subsequent major aeroplane crashes. Through this anecdote, Gooden makes clear the necessity for a uniform language with an established set of rules, ‘one agreed on by all flying nations’. Not only does the Standard English prove itself to be valuable in this sense, but the SE goes on to be incredibly essential in other instances too that justifies its perception as a ‘superior’ language. A standard language is not only ‘superior’ by its very nature, but can effectively elevate the social status of the speech community who utilizes it
how?. This is particularly relevant for politicians who constantly speak the Standard Language on a daily basis as the language they use is closely linked to their public personas and is an essential element of their careers. Political speeches, much like the public apology former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered in 2008, are one of the most clear-cut situations wherein the Standard English was not only superior to the other colloquial or foreign varieties he could have used, but also essential for his reputation and to uphold the sense of respect he held for the Indigenous audience he targeted.
Give an example? More often than not, any instances where a politician is involved in the public eye are the very same contexts in which non-standard varieties are far from being appropriate
be slightly mindful of Kevin Rudd's propensity to use non-Standard English; he called the Chinese people ratfuckers once. Ultimately, the purpose of a standard language serves within society, even one ravaged by colloquialisms and ethnolects, is what makes it to be perceived as intrinsically superior to others.
no need to mention colloquialisms or ethnolectsJournalist Brendan Black brings attention to instances wherein people communicate “with friends… online or in other informal situations…” to be the most appropriate circumstances to speak in a non-standard variety. Teenspeak, for one, is perhaps the most viral dialect widely used in both verbal and online mediums among those in the ages of 13 to early 20s. Particularly in an online environment, more often than not where Teenspeak originates from these past two years, the presence of formalized English wouldn’t be welcome if the purpose of online communication was to socialize, chat and interact. In fact, standard or ‘correct’ language would be regarded as somewhat ‘pompous’, ‘snobby’ or ‘pretentious’ in online forums. This attitude is reflected in many popular YouTube channels such as ‘BrockBaker’ and ‘Jacksfilms’ as they regularly mock YouTube comments and when confronted with long-winded, correctly punctuated and elevated language, they address these comments as if they are not completely in touch with the online community and even adopt an exaggerated cultivated accent to emphasize the snobby nature of the comment.
examples? Too theoretical; you need concrete examples here. Also don't use contractions if you can help it. Link paragraphs; "however"?Instead, the online community is laidback with its language, free to communicate in abbreviations and acronyms without having to capitalize letters and adopt various phrases and words that require a certain level of pop culture references to understand the semantics behind it
examples of these abbreviations and acronyms?. All the while, despite abandoning a large majority of Standard English grammatical rules, the online speech community can be guaranteed that their audience will know that ‘Insta’ is short for ‘Instagram’, the popular photo-sharing social networking app and that viral phenomenon such as the dances ‘Harlem Shake’ and ‘Gangnam Style’ originated from online YouTube music videos.
I'm not sure about the strength of these last examples; they don't prove much of a point to meIt is within the online community where the speech community witnesses a relaxation of the rules of the English language and adopts its own rules, all the while rejecting the formality of a Standard.
only the online community?In intimate social gatherings, perhaps with family members, with whom one shares the same ethnic background, it seems logical and almost necessary to adopt an ethnolect when speaking. That is, a second language that is highly influenced by their first.
this sentence not needed An individual’s ethnolect is a reflection of a person’s value of their background and culture. While they have adopted a second language to speak, English in most cases, the influence of their first language illustrates a lingering connection that is closely tied with how a person perceives their own identity; a member of their cultural group. To share this language with others who feel the same way can go towards strengthening a relationship
maybe less commentary? You have limited space in the exam. In the Filipino community within the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, many teenagers of second generation Filipinos often bond over their mutual heritage and nationality. Common topics of conversation among Australian-Filipinos include favourite places to visit within Philippines, referring them by their ‘correct’ Filipino pronunciation- Boracay, a hot spot for tourists, is pronounced in Tagalog as ‘boh-rah-ky’ as compared to the usual mispronunciation, ‘boh-rah-kay’
IPA would be great here if possible. In addition to this, favourite foods are typically discussed, referring to them by their Tagalog names- ‘Adobo’ is one of the iconic Filipino savoury dishes which is Tagalog for soy chicken stew with vegetables.
explain the significance of this!Ethnolects aid in developing bonds and is particularly exclusive to specific cultural groups. This non-standard dialect is a reflection of an individual’s background and identity. If replaced with a Standard English, then any trace of that person’s vulture
everyone, awaken your internal vulture! would be removed from the way in which they speak and they would be out of place in an ethnic group who proudly uses this ethnolect on a daily basis.
is an extra paragraph needed for this? Also not sure how useful this commentary isA Standard English proves itself to be valuable and even essential to many aspects of society revolving around international communication and political affairs. Hence, this may lead prescriptivists to perceive the Standard as a superior variety. However Kate Burridge in ‘Proper English: Rhetoric or Reality?’ acknowledges that this attitude is “offensive [and] scientifically wrong-headed”. She also alludes to the fact that a number of varieties, albeit non-standard, “is as valid a communication as the standard.” Teenspeak, online colloquialism and ethnolects have proved to be essential and far more appropriate in phatic communication than a standard ever will be. Their value as a dialect proves itself to be noteworthy and should, by no means, be considered as ‘inferior’.
Yay lots of quotes (:
Sometimes I feel you don't explain your examples, or you don't give enough examples. Your commentary is fine though
One thing to bear in mind; this essay is about 10% too long for the exam. Don't plan on writing 1000 word essays in 45 minutes, as there just isn't enough time. Which is something I'm still working on ):
But overall, good job (:
On the topic of Standard English, could someone look at mine? I've done lots of criticising; now it's your turn to return the favour

Yes, it's a bit too long. I'm still working on that bit. And yes I'm aware that I could have put in ethnolects, but I decided not to for this essay, otherwise it would have become even longer
