Who’s Language Is It Anyway

Question 1

Kachru’s circles: Inner circle

Answer 1

Inner circle:

• english is spoken as the native language/mother tongue
• total english speakers in these regions is approximately 380 million
• in these regions english is used for all administrative and social purposes
• examples: the UK, USA, Australia

Question 2

Kachru’s outer circle

Answer 2

• english is regarded as a secondary language in these regions
• much of the administration is done in English due to colonial legacy
• useful common language - the lingua Franca
• usually has common status with other languages
• examples: South Africa, Nigeria, India

Question 3

Kachru’s expanding circle

Answer 3

• countries where english plays no historical or governmental role, but is still used widely as a medium of international communication
• english may be employed for specific, limited purposes
• examples: Russia, china, Korea

Question 4

Language norms with Kachru’s circles

Answer 4

Inner circle: norm providing
Outer circle: norm developing
Expanding circle: norm dependent