Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 3 – Global English

Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 3 – Global English explains how English became a global language and developed different varieties in different parts of the world. The chapter discusses British English, American English, Indian English and the emergence of New Englishes.

Global English is Chapter 3 of the Story of English section in Rainbow Part 1. The chapter also explains Received Pronunciation, the borrowing of words from other languages and the differences between British English and American English.

Bihar Board Class 11 English Global English – Overview

Global English – Introduction

English has become a global language because it is read and spoken in a large number of countries. It is widely used for international trade, commerce, science and diplomacy.

However, English is not exactly the same in every country. As English spread around the world, it came into contact with different languages and cultures. As a result, different varieties of English developed.

Received Pronunciation

English developed from the speech of the Anglo-Saxons into a standard form of English. Standard British English pronunciation came to be associated with Received Pronunciation, commonly known as R.P.

Received Pronunciation became an important reference point for standard British English pronunciation.

Why Is English Called “The Most Gloriously Impure Language”?

English has a strong habit of borrowing words from other languages. During its historical development, English borrowed many words from languages such as Latin, Spanish, Italian and French.

This continuous borrowing greatly increased the vocabulary of English. Because of this characteristic, English is described in the chapter as “the most gloriously impure language.” 1

Worldwide Spread of English

The worldwide spread of English produced two important effects.

1. New national varieties of English developed, such as American English, Australian English and Canadian English.
2. New varieties of English developed in countries where English was not the mother tongue. These are called New Englishes, such as Indian English and Nigerian English.

Thus, the spread of English did not create one identical form of English throughout the world. Instead, it produced a range of varieties with their own characteristics. 2

British English and American English

British English and American English are two important varieties of English. Although they belong to the same language, they have differences in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling.

Difference in Collective Nouns

In British English, collective nouns can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is being considered as a whole or as individual members.

In American English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular.

Difference in Past Participles

The form gotten is common in North-American English. Modern British English generally uses got instead.

Difference in the Use of Shall and Will

The use of shall is more common in British English than in American English. American English generally makes greater use of will.

Examples of Spelling Differences

Indian English

Indian English is a variety of English that has developed in India. It has been influenced by Indian languages, culture and the Indian way of life.

Indian English has developed a distinct set of words and sentence patterns. Some of these expressions are different from those normally used in British English. The textbook specifically treats this as an important feature of Indian English. 3

Examples of Indian English

Indian English in Literature

Indian writers have contributed significantly to the development of Indian English literature.

The chapter mentions Mulk Raj Anand and points out the use of local dialect and expressions in his novels. This shows how Indian culture and local speech can influence English writing.

The chapter therefore presents Indian English as a variety that has developed its own linguistic character rather than simply being a copy of British English. 4

New Englishes

New Englishes refers to new varieties of English that developed in countries where English was not originally the mother tongue.

Examples mentioned in the chapter include:

• Indian English
• Nigerian English

These varieties have been influenced by local languages, cultures and social conditions.

Why Is English a Global Language?

English is considered a global language because it is spoken and studied in many countries and is used for international communication.

It has become an important language of international trade, commerce, science and diplomacy.

At the same time, English has adapted itself to local conditions. American English has developed distinctive spelling and expressions, while Indian English has been influenced by the Indian way of life.

Therefore, English is global while also having many local varieties. 5

Global English – Summary

Global English explains the worldwide importance and development of English.

As English spread across the world, different national varieties emerged. American English, Australian English and Canadian English are examples of these national varieties.

New Englishes also developed in countries where English was not the mother tongue. Indian English and Nigerian English are examples.

The chapter also explains that English has borrowed many words from other languages. This borrowing habit has enriched the English vocabulary and contributed to the description of English as “the most gloriously impure language”.

British English and American English differ in several ways, including the treatment of collective nouns, the use of got and gotten, and the use of shall and will.

Indian English has also developed distinctive words and sentence patterns under the influence of Indian languages and culture.

Thus, English has become a global language while continuing to develop different varieties according to local conditions.

Main Themes of Global English

1. Worldwide Spread of English

English has spread to many countries and is widely used for international communication.

2. Language Variation

The spread of English has produced different national and regional varieties.

3. Borrowing of Words

English has borrowed vocabulary from many languages throughout its history.

4. British and American English

These two major varieties have differences in grammar and usage.

5. Indian English

Indian English has developed distinctive vocabulary and sentence patterns influenced by Indian culture and languages.

6. New Englishes

New varieties of English have developed in countries where English was not the mother tongue.

Important Questions from Global English

• Which speech came to be known as Received Pronunciation?
• What has made English “the most gloriously impure language”?
• Name two effects of the worldwide spread of English.
• What are New Englishes?
• What are the differences between British English and American English?
• How does American English differ from British English?
• What is Indian English?
• What are the special features of Indian English?
• Why is English called a global language?
• Write a brief note on Global English.

Textbook True or False

• There is no difference between American English and British English. — False
• Indian English is closer to American English. — False
• Indian English has developed a distinct set of words and sentence patterns that do not exist in British English. — True

These answers correspond to the textbook exercise for Chapter 3. 6

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Which speech came to be known as Received Pronunciation?

Answer: The standard form of British English pronunciation came to be known as Received Pronunciation or R.P.

Question 2. What has made English “the most gloriously impure language”?

Answer: The borrowing habit of English has made it “the most gloriously impure language”. English has borrowed many words from languages such as Latin, Spanish, Italian and French.

Question 3. Name two effects of the worldwide spread of English.

Answer: The worldwide spread of English had two important effects. First, new national varieties such as American, Australian and Canadian English developed. Second, New Englishes such as Indian and Nigerian English emerged in countries where English was not the mother tongue.

Question 4. What are New Englishes?

Answer: New Englishes are new varieties of English that developed in countries where English was not originally the mother tongue. Indian English and Nigerian English are examples.

Question 5. Why is English called a global language?

Answer: English is called a global language because it is read and spoken in many countries and is widely used for international trade, commerce, science and diplomacy.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Make a list of differences between British English and American English.

Answer: British English and American English have several differences.

• In British English, collective nouns may take either singular or plural verbs depending on the intended meaning.
• In American English, collective nouns are generally singular.
• Gotten is common in North-American English, whereas British English generally uses got.
• Shall is more commonly used in British English than in American English.
• Spelling also differs in several words, such as British colour and American color.

These differences show that English has developed different national varieties while remaining one language. 7

Question 2. Write a brief note on Global English.

Answer: English is called a global language because it is read and spoken in a large number of countries. It has become an important language of international trade, commerce, science and diplomacy.

As English spread throughout the world, different varieties developed. American English, Australian English and Canadian English are examples of national varieties, while Indian English and Nigerian English are examples of New Englishes.

English has also been influenced by local languages and cultures. Indian English, for example, has developed distinctive words and sentence patterns influenced by Indian life.

Therefore, English is global because of its worldwide use, but it is not identical in every country. 8

Global English – Important Word Meanings

Exam Oriented Points

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 3 of Story of English?

Chapter 3 of the Story of English section is Global English.

What is Received Pronunciation?

Received Pronunciation, or R.P., refers to the standard British English pronunciation described in the chapter.

Why is English called “the most gloriously impure language”?

Because English has borrowed a large number of words from other languages such as Latin, Spanish, Italian and French.

What are New Englishes?

New Englishes are varieties of English that developed in countries where English was not the mother tongue.

What is Indian English?

Indian English is a variety of English that has developed in India and has distinctive words and sentence patterns influenced by Indian languages and culture.

How to Prepare Chapter 3 for the Exam

1. Learn the meaning of Global English.
2. Remember Received Pronunciation or R.P.
3. Understand why English is called “the most gloriously impure language”.
4. Learn the two effects of the worldwide spread of English.
5. Prepare the differences between British and American English.
6. Understand the concept of Indian English.
7. Learn the meaning and examples of New Englishes.
8. Revise the textbook True/False questions.
9. Practise the short-answer questions.
10. Prepare the long-answer question on Global English.

Important Links

Conclusion

Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 3 – Global English explains the worldwide spread of English and the development of different varieties such as British English, American English and Indian English.

The chapter is especially important for understanding Received Pronunciation, the borrowing habit of English, British and American English differences, New Englishes and the global role of English.

For examination preparation, students should focus on the textbook True/False questions, Received Pronunciation, worldwide spread of English, British-American differences and the brief note on Global English.