Regional dialects
1. Varieties of English around the world?
Ex. 1 English as the official language
Did you know that in 67 countries around the world English is the official language? Click on the link and try to find out which 10 countries we have indicated. How many did you guess correctly? Don't forget to fill in your handout as well.
Ex. 2 Which English?
On the audio track you will hear the same sentence five times in a different accent. Which countries do the speakers come from? Choose from the following possibilities and fill in your handout: Australia - England - India - South Africa - United States.
2. Different types of English across the globe
A. British English: RP
a) What is meant with "RP is regionally neutral"?
b) With which variety of Dutch could you compare RP?
c) Which synonyms are there for RP? Are they exactly the same as RP?
d) Is RP a dialect? Explain.
e) How did RP change throughout the time? What is its history? And is it still the same as it was in the 20th century?
B. American English
Ex. 1 Pronunciation
British and American accents are quite different. Read the article and check whether the following statements are true or false. Fill in the correct answer in your handout.
a) About 250 years ago, there was no difference between British and American English pronunciation.
b) The British accent is older than the American accent.
c) Many people in Britain often leave out the "r" in words.
d) Many people in the United States often leave out the "r" in words.
e) All people in Britain have the same accent.
f) All people in the United States have the same accent.
Watch the following video. Which five differences between American English and British English are discussed? Fill in the grid in your handout and give an example of each difference.
Ex. 2 Vocabulary
Besides a difference in pronunciation, there is also a difference in vocabulary. Complete the quiz and test your knowledge of the subtle differences between the British and American English Dictionary.
Write the answers in your handout.
It is possible that this link is not working due to a problem on the Macmillan website. Should that be the case, you don't have to do this exercise.
C. Australian English
Ex. 1 Pronunciation - which type of Australian English
Read the article and answer the following questions:
a) Which three types of Australian English are there? Explain.
Ex. 2 Vocabulary
G'day mate! In Australia, Aussies have the tendency to shorten most of their words. Watch the video and learn how to speak Australian.
Do you speak Australian English? Enter the quiz and write the answers in your handout.