Varieties of English language.

1. Varieties of English in the inner and outer circle
English is spoken in different countries around the world. It has different types of dialects spoken
around the world, including not only American and British English, but such varieties as Indian,
Pakistani, Australian, and New Zealand English, as well as the English spoken in various African
and Asian countries. Thus, this is called varieties of English which has its own linguistic
features. Even countries in the inner circle and outer circle are moving along with this New
Englishes. This essay highlights on the features of New Englishes in the outer circle and inner
circle.
New English relates to vocabulary in the form of new words, word formations, word meanings,
collocations and idiomatic phrase. In simple terms it borrows vocabulary and grammar form
different dialects of other countries, that is, inner circle and outer circle countries. Englishes in
inner circle are developed differently in comparison to Englishes in outer circle. English in some
inner circle countries developed as a result of geographical distance between two countries. Just
like, when America became an independent nation, it wanted to have its own language rather
than the British language. Therefore, linguists emphasized the differences in phonology, lexis
and grammar. It was then decided that America needed to have its own language which was
particularly known as ‘American English’. This geographical distance was too great for British
English to be the model or American English. Hence, Noah Webster strongly brought reform in
spellings as is evident today from American Spelling such as color, Humor, etc. It also had new
vocabulary for the flora, fauna, geographical features, and new experiences in a new
environment. In American English differences can be found in phonology, morphology, and
lexicon. However, most studies mainly focus on lexis. For example, Gasoline is used in
American English whereas petrol in British English. If a word is pronounced as Pavement in

2. British English then American English this would be called as a sidewalk. If it is nappy in British
English then it becomes Diaper in terms of American English as shown in the sample above.
Another feature of New Englishes in the inner circle is that it includes morphemes. It can be
easily understood that morphemes are used to create words. For example words like appeared,
unstable, dogs, etc. It can be easily understood that –ed, un, and –s can be classiefied as
morphemes. However, some English dialects use specific morphemes to create words that suit
their dialect. Australian English is a good example of this which produces words like wharfie,
‘dock worker’, smoko ‘a stop for rest and a smoke’. The –ie and -o morphemes are used create
effects on pronunciation of these words while in use.
Lastly, most of the inner circle countries do follow British conventions but dialects of some
countries have influence over British English when in use. In addition to the language they also
use their own words and phrases. New Zealand English is a proof of this as it uses Maori words
and phrases to codify the language. For example, Kia ora ‘hello, goodbye’, kohang reo ‘language
nest’, hui ‘meetimg’, hangi ‘traditional earth oven and the meal cooked in it’, whakapapa ‘family
tree’, haka ‘dance with chant’. These types of words cannot be explained in terms of British
English. Hence, they are included directly in this international variety of language to make
people understand better and properly.
Just like there are features of New Englishes in inner circle, similarly, New Englishes in outer
circle also have various features based on which there are changes occurring in the English
dialects used in the non-native settings. Firstly, some English dialects include words which are
not normally found in English language which gives reference to cultural items or traditional
lifestyle of the country where English is being used. Indian English follows this strategy when it

3. comes to expressing about their culture. For example, salwar-kameez, Dal, chapatis, tiffin,
Sardarji, etc.
Secondly, English was introduced to outer circle countries as Britishers went around the world
colonizing different countries. Fiji was a country that was introduced to English in 2nd diaspora.
It became the language of administration, newspapers, radio, law, science and western education.
Colonization and socio-political and cultural factors caused the wide-spread of English Language
across the globe in the early seventeenth century. Thus, English became the second language for
countries like Fiji and caused many lexis to change phonologically. For example, “voiceless
interdental fricative /θ/ (think, through) may be voiced as /ð/ (the) so that three [θrI] may be
realized as dree[ðrI]”as shown in the above sample. Just because “/θ/ think” sound did not exist
in Fijian language, the i taukei speakers substituted a new sound for it “dree[ðrI]”. As English
was brought into operation in non-native settings like Fiji, it also affected the vowels and their
pronunciation.
To conclude, it can be stated that as English is used in inner circle and outer circle, it changes
into new varieties of Englishes which changes lexically, phonologically, grammatically and
linguistically over time. It can be stated from the above sample that varieties of new varieties
Englishes involved changes due to geographical distance, giving reference to culture specific
items, influence of other dialects and due to the effect of colonialization. Thus, Varieties of New
Englishes in outer circle and inner circle is unique in nature and is different from other dialects.
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