The Future of Englishes

Introduction

• Importance of the plural form "Englishes"
• Concept originated 10-15 years ago to reflect the global nature of English
• English adapts to local circumstances when adopted by different countries

Language Adaptation

• Language serves the purpose of communication about local interests and history
• As English spreads globally, it becomes localized
• New varieties of English emerge quickly after adoption by a country

Historical Context

• Arrival of English in America (1600s)
  • Rapid development of American English
  • First settlers encountered new flora, fauna, and cultural elements
  • Introduction of words like "moccasin" and "wigwam"

Modern Developments

• Global spread of English
  • Countries now have English as a first, second, or foreign language
  • Vocabulary adaptations are common
• Example: South African English
  • 10,000 unique words in the South African English dictionary
  • Cultural background knowledge is necessary to understand some terms

Cultural Examples

• Anecdote about the term "robot" in South Africa
  • Means "traffic light" in South African English
• Emphasis on the importance of cultural context in language understanding

The Concept of Serbian English

• Serbian English: the English used to discuss Serbian contexts
• Example of idiomatic expressions
  • "Like Clapham Junction" refers to chaos in British context
• Cultural references can lead to miscommunication between native speakers and foreigners

Conclusion

• Every country has a unique variety of English influenced by local culture
• Understanding cultural references is essential for effective communication