The Standard English: Language Attitudes and Linguistic Ideologies

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The Standard English: Language Attitudes and Linguistic Ideologies
Introduction
The English language is considered a global language because of its predominance in many countries worldwide. Many countries also widely use it to communicate and be understood by other regions of the world both for official and public reasons. However, even with the diversity of the people using the English language, there are still prescriptivists who believe that standard English is the only kind of English that should be used. In this belief, the other ways that people from different regions use English are labeled as nonstandard.
It is common for language, an essential aspect of humanity, to evoke many beliefs and ideas shaped by the human experience, including political, social, and moral factors. Standard English had developed these ideologies that are now deeply ingrained in American culture and society. These ideologies have become so powerful and influential that it impacts an individual’s personal experience in aspects such as socialization with other people, the quality of education from institutions, and cultural expression (Flores et al.). Some issues are present in these beliefs when it comes to the oral and written forms, associating the standard to superiority and privilege. In addition to this, learning standard English has become a need for the oppressed to survive in society. This research aims to explore the power of language, linguistic ideologies, and the correlation between language attitudes and standardized English forms.
Functions of Language
There are different ways that language is used. Primarily, its function is communication. This includes the sharing of information, expression of emotions and identity, and the conveying of feelings. The context affects its usage in both the standard and nonstandard versions of the English language. In settings such as the internet or social media, the nonstandard ways of speaking and writing the English language are often used, while the standard English can often be used and experienced in academic institutions.
The standard English language in the professional setting, such as academia, is required and expected from its students and faculty. However, it is worth noting that the scholars and students’ research and other academic writings are not how an individual typically conveys thoughts and emotions. The use of the standard English language means that the rules such as noun-pronoun agreement, possessive cases, and punctuation marks are applicable and should be practiced, among many others. Considering the standard English language as the only correct way diminishes the accessibility of the English language and the equity that the society is striving for.
Based on recent studies, the strict beliefs of the prescriptivists that uphold the rules of standard English, promoting it as the correct way of using the language, already presents issues in modern society. These issues include the lack of considerations to the evolution in the practice of the community in the modern world. The rules that encompass standard English feed the “white middle-class norms” of society that are beneficial to these specific populations while negating the multiculturalism of the language. This is further emphasized because of the capability of the nonstandard English language to perform the expected functions of language without following the strict rules of standard English (Paris et al.).
The Power of Language
The English language has gained the respect and influence it has now because of how common it is as a second language even in the non-American population. In addition to this, it is continuously used as an international language for business, technological innovations, media, etc. The English language in this aspect unites and bridges people from different places, beliefs, and cultures. It supports globalization occurring in the modern world, promoting connectedness and intercontinental relationships (Flores et al.). The English language has a standard and nonstandard variation, and the beliefs associated with these also reveal how the English language can demonstrate the different stereotypes, biases, and divisiveness in today’s system. It speaks of the differences in status present in society dividing Americans from other ethnicities.
Language Attitudes In the past, the community was less tolerant of linguistics and race differences. Both inequity and discrimination are parts of history that can still be seen in the current system. Many improvements have already occurred to bridge the gap between the different races, to promote inclusivity and equity among the people, but there are still traces of these issues because of how ingrained it already is in society. The language attitudes related to the standardized English language can be complex due to the different cultures and backgrounds of those that use the language.
Since the English language is used in many settings such as international affairs, as a second language when educating children, in research work and more advanced levels of education, etc. It has already become a language that creates enormous opportunities for the people who can learn how to communicate using it, both in written and oral form. It is advantageous for those people because it also elevates their social status, learning achievement, and work and education opportunities. These reasons motivate people whose primary language is not English to learn the language and communicate using it. This kind of mindset enables many people to learn English as their second language, and it has its benefits and poses some challenges, mainly because there are many grammar rules, intonation, accents, etc., involved in using the standard English language in both speaking and writing.
There is a fusion of the primary language that the English learner initially uses in learning the standard English language and how the individual learns and applies English. It is common for these individuals to demonstrate a slightly different version of the English language, despite conveying information and emotions. These versions create controversies because some people claim that there is only one correct way of using the language, and this kind of belief discredits the individual due to not being able to abide by specific standards.
Various standards are set by society when it comes to the English language. There is this expectation that an individual who would want to use the English language to communicate in both speaking and writing should follow how a middle-class white person communicates. The problem with this kind of attitude is that it supports a certain ideal, somehow establishing it as the better or even best version or way of using the language and then fueling the status quo and power that a specific population has in comparison to the other.
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