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The term Standard English can be defined as a controversial phrase used for the common English adopted by educated people to write as well as to speak. If we have to define Standard English it is very important that we consider certain criterions. Standard English varies according to the place and the variety of the language. A particular form of English may be standard in one region but need not be standard in another. The term Standard English is a highly variable term. It should not be mistaken for ‘correct English’ or ‘proper English’ since even Standard English can have its own set of flaws.
In defining Standard English we should also know what Standard English does not stand for. It does not represent the best form of English and neither does it imply to be the Oxford English. Standard English also does not belong to a particular class. It is not an upper class English language or one belonging to the elite. It is not at all class oriented. Standard English has been evolved by people using it and there are no set norms of use or misuse in Standard English.
A new innovation in the field of writing is the Standard English grammar checker. It helps budding writers improve their work by enhancing their phrasing of sentences. It helps writers to write in a superior quality and increase their communication skills. When talking about Standard English how can we not compare the two most Standard forms of English language used all throughout the world. American English and British English are the two forms. The famous playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote that “England and America are two different countries separated by the same language”. Then why the difference in the language? These two Standard forms of English vary very little though. Now the trend is such that two Standard forms are merging with one another.
As the British have adopted a few American traits of the language and the Americans have started using British terms, we may state that there is no correct form amongst these two. Standard English is hence based on the region more than the frequency with which it is used. Standard English is variable.
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