Is Standard English a threat to other dialects?

Question

Is Standard English a threat to other dialects? OR Is Standard English not a threat to other dialects?

Answer 1

I think it depends on how strictly the use of it is enforced. I speak with an Appalachian American English dialect. While I do speak with this dialect, and very often say things that would probably be unacceptable in Standard English, I have learned Standard English, and I have learned when and where it is appropriate to use each of these.

For example, if I'm speaking with friends or writing a personal letter/e-mail/IM, I speak with the Appalachian American dialect. If I'm speaking in front of a group at a formal event or writing something meant to be read by a large group of possibly unknown people, I use Standard English.

With that being said, as long as a child is being taught Standard English, I don't think there should be an attempt to stamp out other dialects entirely.

Answer 2

I would say an unqualified "Yes." For instance, I recentlly saw a map in a linguistics book showing how the Oklahoman variety of English (or "Okie") has receded since the end of World War II, being replaced by Standard American English. Once, it was spoken everywhere in the state. Now, barely half the population speaks it in the Oklahoma City area, and only in some of the extreme eastern, northern and western parts of the state was there still 80% or more of the population speaking it.

This phenomenon is actually happening all over the English speaking world. Standard American English is now making inroads into New Jersey and New York as more Midwesterners move to these places erroding regional accents there. A similar thing is happening in the British Isles where Standard British and American English are both impacting the regional Scottish and Welsh varieties of English. Much of this is homgeneity going on in English is probably due to radio, television, popular music and jet airplane travel.

Answer 3

What breed of English is "standard " ? American English is just as "standard" as British English.
Dialects are just local pronouncations of school-accepted language. If those dialects die out because of TV, radio, ease of travel, etc. it's for the better. The fewer regional dialects we have, the more we're one nation.

Answer 4

I don't think so. Consdiering that Standard English is the British dialect, and how widespread the American dialect(s) are/is, it can't be really. British has more of an influence in some places and American in others.

Answer 5

English might be considered a threat to someone that is forced to learn it.