Characteristics of Standard English vs. Nonstandard English:
While there's no single "correct" way to speak, Standard English (SE) is generally considered the prestige dialect used in formal settings like education, government, and media. It differs from nonstandard dialects in several ways:
1. Grammar:
* SE follows strict grammatical rules:
* Subject-verb agreement: "He is going" vs. "They are going"
* Tense consistency: "I saw him yesterday" vs. "I see him every day"
* Pronoun case: "He gave it to me" vs. "He gave it to I"
* Word order: "I have a car" vs. "I got a car"
* Nonstandard dialects may have different rules:
* Double negatives: "I don't have no money"
* Use of "ain't": "He ain't here"
* Different verb tenses: "I done it" instead of "I did it"
2. Vocabulary:
* SE favors formal and less regionally specific words:
* "Begin" instead of "start"
* "Utilize" instead of "use"
* Nonstandard dialects use more colloquialisms and regionalisms:
* "Fixin' to" instead of "going to"
* "Y'all" instead of "you all"
* "Pop" for soda, "pail" for bucket
3. Pronunciation:
* SE has more standardized pronunciations:
* "About" with the "ou" sound like "out"
* "Catch" with the "ch" sound like "church"
* Nonstandard dialects have regional variations:
* "Cot" and "caught" pronounced the same
* "Car" pronounced as "cah"
4. Context:
* SE is generally used in formal writing and speaking:
* Academic papers, business documents, public speeches
* Nonstandard dialects are more common in informal settings:
* Casual conversations, personal letters, regional literature
Important Note:
* Nonstandard English is not inherently "wrong" or "bad." It's simply a different dialect with its own rules and variations.
* Speaking SE doesn't necessarily make someone more intelligent or educated.
* Dialect variation is a natural part of language evolution.
Understanding the difference between SE and nonstandard dialects can be helpful for:
* Effective communication: Choosing appropriate language for different contexts.
* Academic and professional success: Mastering SE for formal situations.
* Respecting linguistic diversity: Recognizing and appreciating the value of all dialects.