STANDARD LANGUAGE

Standard language can be defined as the process of development of a standard language

for written and oral language. According to Laurie Bauer (2013), standard language is also a
process by which conventional forms of language are established and maintained. It occurs in a
specific manner that depends on the community, the social, historical and geographic aspect
involved. It may occur through natural development of a language in a speech community. In
standard language, there is a process called re-standardisation. It refers to the way a language
may be reshaped by its speakers and writers.

The standardisation of English language happened as a natural means, over centuries due
to a number of social factors. Randolph Quirk (2008) stated that the process and factors of
English standardisation are divided in several process which are old English process, middle
English and early modern English. The old English is originated in 500AD when West Germanic
invaders settled in the British Isle. During that time, Germanic words influenced English
Language the most. However, the old English survived until 1100AD when The Norman Quest
occurred. The invasion gave the impact on the development and history of English Language.

The old English now is generally derived from foreign words such as French and
Germanic language. Furthermore, one half of the commonly used words in our language today
have old English roots (Laura Wright, 2000). For example, the words water, be and strong
are derived from old English language. In 1066AD, the Duke of Normandy invaded and
conquered England. It was the beginning of Middle English language era. Laura Wright (2000)
mentioned during that time, the new overloads spoke and dialect of the Old French, Germanic
roots and basic Latin roots were mixed with English language. This had a huge impact on the
English language especially in conversation.

The early modern English came afterwards due to two main factors which are the Great
Vowel Shift and the introduction of the printing press. The Great Vowel Shift is the process of
the change in pronunciation. The vowel sounds began to be made further to the front of the
mouth. For example, the letter e at the end of the words became silent. For example, life was
pronounced leef, name was pronounced nam-a, and five was pronounced as feef. The
introduction of the printing press was the highlight of the language standard. The printing press
make book became more affordable and thus literacy became more common. The printing press
brought standardisation to the English Language. Spelling and grammar became fixed. The first
dictionary was published in 1604.

The language is standardised through codification process. Codification process is an

ongoing process that includes the use dictionaries, style and usage guides of the language, and
the traditional grammar in words choice (Ahmad & Hasreen, 2016). This is supported by
Pedersen and Hans-Andre (2013) who stated that during the codification process, the
lexicographers have to decide which words to include in the dictionary as part of standard
variety. The process of words selection involved grammar as well as pronunciation. For example,
in the word selection process, the words egg derived from the words eyren and egges.
Therefore, the standard language involved the widely codified grammar and vocabulary.

It is important to establish a standard in language. It is a desire formation in cultural,

political, social cohesion and most importantly in education (Ana Duemert & Wim
Vandenbussch, 2002) . As a teacher, there are several conditions to consider in using Standard
English. First, the teacher must know the linguistic difference between standard and non-
standard languages. For example, the phrase come quickly might be used as come quick by
students. The phrase come quickly is the correct grammatical phrases and it is the standard
English. The phrase come quick could be understood by others and the meaning of the phrase
is meaningful. However, in term of grammatical rules, it is consider as non-standard English. In
addition, teachers should nature of dialect diversity and pedagogical of standard English.

The rise of technology and industrial gave impact on the expansion of vocabulary. This
phenomenon has occurred due to the number of new words to suit things and ideas in technology
and industrial (Kunal Sinha, Ogilvy & Mather 2005). Neologism was needed as for new
creations and discoveries. The modern English era has a significantly larger vocabulary. English
language relied heavily on Latin and Greek for words such as oxygen, nuclear, and vaccine
for their base meanings.

The language varieties become standard by a series of resources such as standardised

spelling and vocabulary, a recognized grammar, a standard pronunciation of the educated speech,
constitutional legal status frequently as an official language, effective public use such as in court,
legislature and school, the one that convenience speaking, and the popularity one and acceptance
in the community. In sociopolitical issue, the non-standard varieties may be associated to low-
prestige or unsophisticated and poor people. Thus, the variety of languages that hold the
socioeconomic and political power usually prevails as standard.

In conclusion, it is very important as it could create mutual understanding between the

people of differences social background and races through standard language. Other than
education, the standard English is used in hub international trade and exports and also the
language of political, social and intellectual around the world. The standard language plays
important role in education, social and political. The standard English unites the people to use
the language in communication. Therefore, it is important to establish a standard in language. It
is a desire formation in cultural, political, social cohesion and most importantly in education.

REFERENCES

Hasreena, A.R. , Ahmad, J. (2016). Standard and performance of an english language teachers
programme: A comparative study (Article). Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia, Malaysia. Volume 96, Issue 12, hlm 349-365.

Ana Duemert & Wim Vandenbussch. (2002). Standard Language Taxonomies and Histories.
School of Humanities, University of Brussel.

Kunal Sinha, Ogilvy & Mather. 2005. The Future of Technology and its Impact on Our Lives.
Business World Magazine.

Laura Wright. (2000). The Development of Standard Language 1300-1800, Theories,

Descriptions and Conflict. Cambridge University.

Lennartsson, F. (2008). Students Motivation and Attitudes towards Learning A Second

Language. School of Humanities, Vaxjo University.

Randolph Quirk (2008). Language Varieties and Standard Language. Japanese Association of
Language Teachers