Grammatical Differences Between Standard and Non-Standard English:
Standard English is the variety of English that is considered to be the most prestigious and widely accepted. It is used in formal settings, such as education, government, and the media.
Non-standard English refers to all other varieties of English, including regional dialects, social dialects, and even informal language used in everyday conversation.
Here are some key grammatical differences between standard and non-standard English:
1. Pronoun Case:
* Standard: "She gave the book to him." (object case)
* Non-standard: "She gave the book to he." (nominative case)
2. Verb Tense and Agreement:
* Standard: "I have gone to the store." (present perfect tense)
* Non-standard: "I went to the store." (past tense)
3. Double Negatives:
* Standard: "I don't have any money." (one negative)
* Non-standard: "I don't have no money." (two negatives)
4. Use of Articles:
* Standard: "I went to the store." (definite article)
* Non-standard: "I went to store." (no article)
5. Use of Prepositions:
* Standard: "I'm going to the beach."
* Non-standard: "I'm going by the beach."
6. Word Order:
* Standard: "She is a very good student." (adjective order)
* Non-standard: "She is a good very student." (reversed adjective order)
7. Use of Contractions:
* Standard: "I can't go."
* Non-standard: "I ain't going."
8. Use of Slang and Colloquialisms:
* Standard: "She went to the store."
* Non-standard: "She hit the store." (slang)
9. Use of Idioms:
* Standard: "I'm going to the store."
* Non-standard: "I'm headed to the store." (regional idiom)
It's important to remember that:
* Non-standard English is not necessarily "bad" or "incorrect." It is simply a different variety of English with its own rules and conventions.
* Standard English is often considered the "correct" variety, but this is a matter of social convention, not inherent superiority.
* Many speakers use a combination of standard and non-standard English depending on the situation.
Overall, the grammatical differences between standard and non-standard English reflect the diversity and evolution of the language. Understanding these differences helps us to appreciate the richness and complexity of English.