1. Reflection N°3 “Varieties of English”
Throughout the progress of this course (Análisis Léxico del Inglés) and the previous
study of the text (varieties of English) I could internalize and understand concepts related
to the Varieties of English which will be very helpful not only in my develop as a teacher of
English as a Foreign Language, but also as an English student. It is absolutely important to
know deeply about this topic for being a better future teacher.
In the one hand I have learned about the different varieties of English, which are
region varieties which is characterized by changes in dialects because of regional
variations produced by geographical dispersion, the result of that is the difference
between dialects, I also could realize social changes which take place in one regional area
that is divided into social groups which make differences in speech or written language.
Another kind of variation is the field of discourse that is related with the activity that
people are involved, and finally the variation of medium and attitude which are related
whit the person who talk or write. There are a lot of concepts which were unknown for
me, and actually, they are absolutely necessaries in my progress as an English learner.
On the other hand I have learned the concept of Standard English, which is also
known as educated English, it is a consensus around the world that defines the language
which will be taught in schools and using in dictionaries for example. This consensus has
two main important orientations, British English and American English. I can identify the
few differences in terms of grammar and also I learned that there are more lexical
differences between B.E and A.E and because of the mass communication its have been
neutralized. However In my opinion, it is also important for an English learner to know
about uneducated or non Standard English, because uneducated English is spoken for
native speakers and it provokes outsiders could not understand the language.
After reading and reflection the contents of this topic, Varieties of language, now I
can relate it with another course, “Fonética y Fonología Inglesa” which has covered some
of the variations, for example in terms of learn Received Pronunciation (R.P). Throughout
the progress of the course I am able to understand why in the University is tough this
variation of language, and why it is compulsory to learn Standard English.
As a conclusion I can say that we must be familiarized with concepts which have
been covered in this course to learn in a more clear way the English language, in order to
become better teachers and teach with advanced knowledge the English language.