Different types of English Language (American / British /Australian etc)

English the lingua franca of the world exists in different varieties. The people of a particular geographical location add their own regional spice to the English language making it a specific type. The most popular types of English are the:

(1) American

(2) British

(3) Australian

Not just these there are New Zealand, Indian and Canadian types of English too. And each of these types is internationally recognized. No specific English type is superior in Status. Certain spelling types and usage demarcate these languages from one another. Also that these language styles are rampant in their own geographical area is a significant point to be considered.

To begin with English is spoken as a first language in many countries-- England, Scotland, Ireland, America, Canada, South Africaand New Zealand. There is a lot of fundamental difference between English spoken in England and the English spoken in the USA. The difference could be primarily attributed to pronunciation. Even considering country itself there is a regional variation in the English language spoken. Even within the British Isles there are many varieties of English spoken. The English of England is different from the English of Scotland. Even within England there are many regional dialects of the English language. With so many dialects found in a language it’s going to be increasingly difficult for the language analysts.

In India owing to history the natives speak more of British English than the American English. But the ushering in of the IT era and the concept of multinationals and immigration playing widely there is a lot of variety of English used in India now. Indians precisely follow the Southern British dialect also called as the RP or the Received Pronunciation. Received suggests that the variety of English spoken is more social in context than regional.

The important point that this rather detailed description shows is, that though at first the dialectical forms sound wrong if you are used to Standard English, they can be explained in linguistic terms in exactly the same way as Standard English forms. It is simply that different choices were made among the varied speech communities forming the speakers of English in the past. These choices are not conscious or deliberate, but pronunciation is always changing, and leads in time to changes in word forms. All the authenticated forms of English are accepted and acceptable. One need not worry too much about the varieties of English.

You may be wondering about these varieties but having some basic insight into the above information might be good to you and help you deal with problems that you might encounter owing to ignorance of English language varieties. English is no longer a monolithic entity and has been modified according to need and purpose. The primary purpose of such a thing could be ascribed to the need of simplicity. There are not just dialects now in English but idiolects, slang, vernacular, jargon and many more. All these emerge out of purpose, if some dialects are for the layman some are for the professional community. A number of changes are constantly being made to English grammar, syntax, vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation, making the changes in the language a continuous and dynamic process.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ENGLISH

1. ARTICLES
Explanations of the words article/definite/indefinite and also related words like articulate/define/definition and so on. Then examples of the use of the articles with sentences showing them at work and also the occasions when no article is used.

2. MODALS
Again definitions of the word modal and related words. Explanations of may/must/can/would/will and so on.

3. PASSIVE
Definitions of passive and related words. Use of the passive with examples. Comments on why it's used in place of active.

4. RELATIVE PRONOUNS
Explain word relative and related words. Examples of their use.

5. TENSES
General introduction to tenses and the meaning of the word - then divide into examples of each tense with illustrative sentences.

6. ADJECTIVES
Explain the word and its function. Use of several adjectives together. Formation of adjectives.

7. ADVERBS
Explain the word and its function. Refer to the different types of adverb -again with illustrative sentences

8. PUNCTUATION
Brief introduction to purpose of punctuation - and what happens in its absence. Illustrative sentences. Explanation of various punctuation marks

9. CONDITIONALS
Explanation of the word and related words. Different types of conditional standard ones and mixed ones with illustrative sentences.

10. PHRASAL VERBS
Definition of what a phrasal verb is and examples of how they are used. Choice of some of the most common used in sentences.

11. VERB FORMS
Commentary on principal parts of the verb such as infinitive, gerund, participles and so on. Illustrative sentences.

12. SUBJUNCTIVE
Introduction to this formation and its use.

13. PREPOSITIONS
Meaning of the word. Use of prepositions and their position in the sentence. Notes about groups/pairs of the most common prepositions and their differences as under/below/beneath.

14. CONJUNCTIONS
Definition and purpose and position of conjunctions - examples in sentences of the most common.

15. REPORTED/INDIRECT SPEECH
Again explanation of 'reported', 'direct', 'indirect' and related words. Reasons for use and formation.

The Best Guides to English Grammar

The best guides to English grammar are often indicative of the quality of the author and/or publishing company that delivers the guide. English grammar is a very complex subject, with many headings and subheadings falling under the main topic. Even the best guides to English grammar may not always contain every possible topic and sub-topic, but the best guides to English grammar make a concerted effort to create a guide that includes references to areas that are most confusing for new learners, indexes and tables of contents to easily find information and trouble spots, and clear instruction on topics such as grammatical structure, syntax, parts of speech, elements of voice and punctuation.

Often, the most useful guides to English grammar can be found in digital form, or as a combination of digital and book learning. Online learning is an excellent way to study English grammar because it allows the learner to study at his or her own pace, while making time for work or other family and personal commitments. Other benefits to studying English grammar in a digital format are the convenience of “at home” study as opposed to the time and expense needed to drive or commute to class.

The best guides to English grammar put a lot of thought into the way the guide is structured, with an easy search feature and cross-references so learners can understand any particular concept from more than one place of reference. Also, the best guides to English grammar should be illustrated in a pleasing way, so visual learners can easily retain the information presented.

English Study Tips

English is best learned utilizing a wide number of English study tips that are meant to keep the learner both on track with the study of English and inspire him or her to continue studying more complex parts of the English language.

For example, among the English study tips that exist, one particularly beneficial tip is to determine a timeline for the study of the English language in terms of how advanced you want to be in English study given a particular time period. Specifically, a student who enrolls in a total immersion program in an English-speaking country will be far more advanced than someone who studies on weekends with language learning software in more of an informal setting.

While informal settings can be an effective way to learn English, the best English study tips call for a dedication that an informal study program can’t often replicate. Certainly the best way to study English encompasses a variety of learning modalities, including a total immersion program in an English-speaking language, laboratory sessions for grammatical help, pronunciation and usage as well as one-on-one tutoring from professional TESOL tutors. Online English learning games, quizzes and software can also be effective, especially when part of a larger scope of dedicated learning. English study tips are largely dependent upon the style of the learner. Some students will have more success with certain English study tips than others.

Improve Your English Grammar

11)

1)     Speak in English, assuming English is the language whose grammar you wish to improve upon. English is understood in most parts of the planet, and its importance is increasing in our daily lives. Learning grammar can be hard if we don't really know how to speak English. Improve your grammar with continuous practice. Your speech will reflect patterns you hear, and the rest will fall into place. Find a friend who can speak to you in English, and move on. Whenever you feel stuck, ask for help!

2)    Make a plan. Try to get an overview of English grammar from a textbook or online resource. Note the grammar points you need to work on and plan to work on each for at least a few days.

3)     Find a tutor. Some of us may disagree with the idea of going to a teacher for grammar lessons, but why not? If you are looking for an alternative, practice grammar using online exercises. There are a number of sites that offer exercises on a range of topics. While using a computer to type a document, grammar checkers can be very helpful too.

4)    Identify common mistakes. People who speak the same language often make the same mistakes in English grammar. For example, many Russian speakers have trouble using "a" and "the" in English. Find out what grammar points are often difficult for speakers of your native language. Pay extra attention to learning those grammar points.

5)     Find some grammar exercises. To learn English grammar well, you'll need to practice each grammar point until you can use it easily. Look for a book of grammar exercises that also has answers. Online activities and quizzes can also help. Focus on just one grammar point each time you study.

6)     Pay close attention to grammar when you read English. When you're trying to learn correct English grammar, it's not enough to understand the general idea of what you read. You'll need to understand exactly why each sentence is written that way. When you read a sentence, ask yourself if you can make similar sentences. If you can't or you're not sure, find text book exercises for those grammar points and practice.

7)     Translate from your native language into English. When you write or speak your own thoughts, it's easy to avoid complicated grammar. When you translate, you have to work with whatever is on the page, even if the grammar is difficult. Start translating simple things like advertisements and then move to newspapers and magazine articles. Translating dialog in plays is another good way to practice.

8)     Read and practice. The more you read, the better you get with your vocabulary. It improves grammar too. If possible, read aloud. Functional grammar deals with the way in which words and word order are used in social perspectives to get the message across. However, if you have a sudden dislike towards heavy grammar books, try the 'parrot method.' This refers to listening and repeating things as many times as possible, so it becomes natural for you to say it that way.

9)     Reading aloud is simpler. Why? Because you eventually are listening to correct grammar as you read it; watching television also helps. It works better if we watch what we are really interested in, although the BBC is always a great option. The English spoken in America is different from that spoken in England. Some parts of spelling and grammar vary between the two countries as well.

10)     Ask native speakers for advice. If you know any native English speakers, ask if they could check some of your writing now and then. If there are no native English speakers near you, look online for language-learning forums or language-exchange sites. Just remember if the native speaker is not a teacher, he or she may not be able to explain grammar rules.

11)      Don't feel anxious when you make mistakes. It isn't a matter if you make mistakes. What is important is finding errors and correcting them.