What are the 14 Englishes?
English is a global language, and it's not surprise that it has many variations. In this article, we will explore the 14 recognized Englishes, each with its unique characteristics, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
1. American English
American English is the most widely spoken English dialect, with an estimated 290 million speakers. It's the standard English used in the United States, with distinct features such as dropping the "u" in words like "colour" and " honour".
2. British English
British English, also known as UK English, is the standard English used in the United Kingdom. It's spoken by around 61 million people, with distinct features such as using "lift" instead of "elevator" and "chips" instead of "fries".
3. Australian English
Australian English is spoken by around 15 million people in Australia. It's known for its unique slang, such as "g'day" (hello) and "she'll be right" (it's okay).
4. Canadian English
Canadian English is spoken by around 19 million people in Canada. It's a blend of American and British English, with distinct features such as using "about" instead of "around".
5. New Zealand English
New Zealand English is spoken by around 4 million people in New Zealand. It's known for its unique pronunciation, such as pronouncing "i" as "ah".
6. Irish English
Irish English is spoken by around 4 million people in Ireland. It's known for its unique pronunciation and vocabulary, such as using "grand" to mean "good".
7. Scottish English
Scottish English is spoken by around 5 million people in Scotland. It's known for its unique pronunciation and vocabulary, such as using "bairn" to mean "child".
8. South African English
South African English is spoken by around 5 million people in South Africa. It's known for its unique blend of British and African influences.
9. Indian English
Indian English is spoken by around 100 million people in India. It's known for its unique pronunciation and vocabulary, such as using "prepone" to mean "bring forward".
10. Singaporean English
Singaporean English is spoken by around 3 million people in Singapore. It's known for its unique blend of British and Asian influences.
11. Malaysian English
Malaysian English is spoken by around 2 million people in Malaysia. It's known for its unique blend of British and Asian influences.
12. Philippine English
Philippine English is spoken by around 90 million people in the Philippines. It's known for its unique blend of American and Asian influences.
13. Caribbean English
Caribbean English is spoken by around 10 million people in the Caribbean region. It's known for its unique blend of British and African influences.
14. Welsh English
Welsh English is spoken by around 500,000 people in Wales. It's known for its unique pronunciation and vocabulary, such as using "bach" to mean "little".
In conclusion, the 14 Englishes are a testament to the diversity and complexity of the English language. Each dialect has its unique characteristics, and understanding these differences can help us communicate more effectively with people from different regions and cultures.
