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class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">English in the Commonwealth of Nations</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. 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<div class="vector-sticky-pinned-container"> <nav class="vector-page-tools-landmark" aria-label="Page tools"> <div id="vector-page-tools-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> </div> </nav> <nav class="vector-appearance-landmark" aria-label="Appearance"> <div id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> <div id="vector-appearance" class="vector-appearance vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-appearance-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-pinned" data-feature-name="appearance-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-appearance" data-pinned-container-id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-appearance-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Appearance</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.unpin">hide</button> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container> <div class="vector-body-before-content"> <div class="mw-indicators"> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><p><b>English in the Commonwealth of Nations</b> or <b>Commonwealth English</b> refers to the various forms of the <a href="/wiki/English_language" title="English language">English language</a> spoken and written within the countries of the <a href="/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations" title="Commonwealth of Nations">Commonwealth of Nations</a>, an intergovernmental organisation comprising 54 member states. Whilst English is not the sole official language of the Commonwealth, it holds a prominent place in most member nations and serves as a vital means of communication among these diverse countries. Commonwealth English encompasses a wide range of accents, dialects and idiosyncrasies, making it a linguistically rich and diverse entity. This article explores the history, features and significance of Commonwealth English. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=1" title="Change section: History" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section's source code: History"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Commonwealth English has its roots in the expansion of the <a href="/wiki/British_Empire" title="British Empire">British Empire</a>, during which the English language was introduced to various parts of the world. Over time, English adapted to local languages and cultures, giving rise to distinct regional varieties. The influence of the British Empire and the subsequent <a href="/wiki/Decolonization" title="Decolonization">decolonisation</a> process played a crucial role in shaping these linguistic developments. Today, Commonwealth English reflects the history and evolution of the language in former British colonies and territories. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Regional_Varieties">Regional Varieties</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=2" title="Change section: Regional Varieties" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section's source code: Regional Varieties"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Commonwealth English consists of several regional varieties, each with its unique characteristics. Each variety carries its own linguistic features, reflecting the multicultural and multilingual nature of the Commonwealth. </p><p>Some (but not all) of the most notable ones include: </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="British_English">British English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=3" title="Change section: British English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section's source code: British English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The form of English spoken in the United Kingdom, which serves as a foundation for many Commonwealth English varieties. British English itself has numerous regional dialects and accents, including <a href="/wiki/Received_Pronunciation" title="Received Pronunciation">Received Pronunciation</a> (RP), often considered the standard British accent. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Australian_English">Australian English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=4" title="Change section: Australian English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section's source code: Australian English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Spoken in Australia, <a href="/wiki/Australian_English" title="Australian English">Australian English</a> exhibits a distinct accent and vocabulary. It has been influenced by indigenous languages and immigrant populations, making it unique amongst Commonwealth English varieties. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Canadian_English">Canadian English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=5" title="Change section: Canadian English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section's source code: Canadian English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>With influences from French and indigenous languages, <a href="/wiki/Canadian_English" title="Canadian English">Canadian English</a> is spoken throughout Canada. Notable features include regional accents, such as the Maritime, Central Canadian, and Western Canadian accents. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="New_Zealand_English">New Zealand English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=6" title="Change section: New Zealand English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section's source code: New Zealand English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Characterised by its distinctive Kiwi accent, <a href="/wiki/New_Zealand_English" title="New Zealand English">New Zealand English</a> is spoken in New Zealand. It has also incorporated elements from the indigenous <a href="/wiki/M%C4%81ori_language" title="Māori language">Maori</a> language. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="South_African_English">South African English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=7" title="Change section: South African English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section's source code: South African English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/South_African_English" title="South African English">South African English</a> is spoken in South Africa, and it exhibits a variety of accents and dialects influenced by the country's diverse population, including British, <a href="/wiki/Afrikaans" title="Afrikaans">Afrikaans</a> and <a href="/wiki/Indigenous_peoples" title="Indigenous peoples">indigenous</a> languages. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Indian_English">Indian English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=8" title="Change section: Indian English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section's source code: Indian English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Indian_English" title="Indian English">Indian English</a> is spoken in India, where it has developed its own unique vocabulary and pronunciation influenced by the country's many languages and cultures. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Caribbean_English">Caribbean English</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=9" title="Change section: Caribbean English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section's source code: Caribbean English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Found throughout the Caribbean region, <a href="/w/index.php?title=Caribbean_English&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Caribbean English (not yet started)">Caribbean English</a> varies by island, with influences from African, indigenous and European languages. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Features_of_Commonwealth_English">Features of Commonwealth English</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=10" title="Change section: Features of Commonwealth English" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section's source code: Features of Commonwealth English"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Commonwealth English exhibits several common linguistic features: </p> <ul><li>Spelling Variations: Commonwealth English often retains British spelling conventions, such as "colour" (color), "centre" (center), and "analyse" (analyze).</li> <li>Vocabulary: Commonwealth English incorporates unique words and phrases specific to each region. For example, "biscuit" in the UK is called a "cookie" in the United States, but it can vary across Commonwealth countries.</li> <li>Pronunciation: There are distinct regional accents and pronunciations across Commonwealth English varieties. For instance, the pronunciation of the letter "r" differs between British and American English.</li> <li>Grammar and Syntax: Whilst the fundamental grammatical structure of Commonwealth English remains consistent, there may be slight differences in word order and sentence structure.</li> <li>Cultural References: Commonwealth English reflects cultural differences, incorporating idioms, references and metaphors particular to each region.</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Significance">Significance</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&veaction=edit&section=11" title="Change section: Significance" class="mw-editsection-visualeditor"><span>change</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-divider"> | </span><a href="/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section's source code: Significance"><span>change source</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Commonwealth English is a testament to the global impact of the British Empire and the subsequent development of English as a lingua franca. It plays a vital role in international diplomacy, trade and cultural exchange amongst Commonwealth member states. Moreover, it fosters a sense of shared heritage and communication, making it an important factor in the cohesion of the Commonwealth of Nations. </p><p>In conclusion, Commonwealth English is a rich and diverse linguistic entity shaped by history, culture and geography. It encompasses a wide range of regional varieties, each contributing to the linguistic tapestry of the Commonwealth of Nations. This form of English is not just a means of communication but also a reflection of the shared history and cultural connections amongst its member states. </p>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&oldid=9543815">https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=English_in_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations&oldid=9543815</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Special:Categories" title="Special:Categories">Category</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:English_language" title="Category:English language">English language</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="mw-footer-container"> <footer id="footer" class="mw-footer" > <ul id="footer-info"> <li id="footer-info-lastmod"> This page was last changed on 14 May 2024, at 11:33.</li> <li id="footer-info-copyright">Text is available under the <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License" title="Wikipedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License">GFDL</a>; additional terms may apply. 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