📄️ Introduction
Many people believe that there is one form of their language that is more correct than others. They may believe for instance that British English is more correct than other varieties; or that written English is more correct than spoken English; or that standard spoken forms are more correct than dialect forms. Often this belief is supported by reference to grammars, usage guides or dictionaries these books will naturally describe standard usage, because that is what they are for; but this does not mean that there is anything wrong with other kinds of usage that are less often described.
📄️ Standard English and dialects
A language is a dialect that has an army and a navy.
📄️ Correctness
When people say that somebody’s language is ‘not correct’, they may mean several different things.
📄️ Changes in English
Languages change over time. Younger people adopt newer forms of expression, while older people often resist change; so even people who speak the same standard language do not speak it in exactly the same way. There are several reasons for change.
📄️ American and British English
Standard American English (‘General American’) and standard British English are very similar. There are a few differences in the use of structures and in spelling rules, and rather more differences of vocabulary and idiom. Modern British English is heavily influenced by American English, so some contrasts are disappearing. Pronunciation is sometimes very different, but most American and British speakers can understand each other easily.
📄️ Other varieties of English
The British and American standards are historically the most influential varieties, but of course Britain and the US do not own the English language. In a number of countries round the world, English is either a national language or an important second language. These countries have their own varieties of English, which broadly speaking fall into two groups.