English Dialects vs. Standard English

1. English Dialectsvs.Standard English By Heather Knapp

2. English Dialects Here are a variety of definitions to help you in the formation of your own definition of what an dialect is: • The form of a language spoken by people in a particular region or group. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure are affected by dialect. • An alternate form of a language that differs in some way from the standard form. • A variety of language, spoken in one part of a country (regional dialect), or by people belonging to a particular social class (social dialect or sociolect), which is different in some words, grammar, and/or pronunciation from other forms of the same language. Example: He been had dat job. Index

3. Standard English Here are a variety of definitions to help you in the formation of your own definition of what Standard English is: • The form of English taught in schools and used widely by professional Americans, including politicians, journalists, and lawyers. Example: Magazines such as Newsweek and television news programs generally use Standard English • A dialect representing English speech and writing comprehensible to most users • The variety of English that is generally acknowledged as the model for the speech and writing of educated speakers Example: He has had that job for a long time. Index

4. Is the sentence a dialect of English or is it Standard English? English Dialect Standard English Index

5. Is the sentence a dialect of English or is it Standard English? English Dialect Standard English Index

6. Is the sentence a dialect of English or is it Standard English? English Dialect Standard English Index

7. What is the Standard English meaning of the sentence? Outen the lights. A. Turn on the lights. No B. Turn off the lights. Yes C. Please move the lights. No Index

8. What is the Standard English meaning of the sentence? He finna go to work. Yes A. He is about to go to work. No B. He goes to work often. No C. He is working Index

9. Homework • Write down conversations you have or observe others having. Next, write those sentences as you think they would be written in Standard English. Index

10. Index Definitions of English Dialects Definitions of Standard English Dialect or Standard English #1 Dialect or Standard English #2 Dialect or Standard English #3 Standard English Meaning #1 Standard English Meaning #2 Homework

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