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| The issue is particularly complicated because English has become the most widely used language in the world, and therefore it is the language most subject to alteration by non-native speakers. | The issue is particularly complicated because English has become the most widely used language in the world, and therefore it is the language most subject to alteration by non-native speakers. | ||
| The three most common internationally recognized varieties of standard English are ], ], and ] (also known as ]). However, |
The three most common internationally recognized varieties of standard English are ], ], and ] (also known as ]). However, the various historical migrations of English-speaking populations, colonization and attendant effects such as ], the use of English as a ] or trade language and its widespread use internationally has given rise to many local varieties of English. See ''Varieties of English'' on the right. | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 21 May 2005
| Dialects and accents of Modern English by continent | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Americas |
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| Oceania |
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Standard English is a general term for a form of written and spoken English that is considered the model for educated people. There are no set rules or vocabulary for "standard English" because, unlike languages such as French, English does not have a governing body (see Académie française) to establish usage. As a result, the concept of "standard English" tends to be fluid. Various regional and national "standards" exist.
The issue is particularly complicated because English has become the most widely used language in the world, and therefore it is the language most subject to alteration by non-native speakers.
The three most common internationally recognized varieties of standard English are Australian English, American English, and English (as spoken in England) (also known as Commonwealth English). However, the various historical migrations of English-speaking populations, colonization and attendant effects such as creolization, the use of English as a lingua franca or trade language and its widespread use internationally has given rise to many local varieties of English. See Varieties of English on the right.