Language
Fact-checked

At LanguageHumanities, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Is Nonstandard English?

Mark Wollacott
Mark Wollacott

Nonstandard English refers to any English that is considered outside the mainstream. There are two meanings for nonstandard: first, dialects other than standard English and second, incorrect English such as grammar and usage. Slang is also considered nonstandard English and is treated as a social dialect rather than a regionalism.

English is an ever-evolving language. It has spread across the world and is the mother tongue for over 100 countries. It is also the most popular second language in the world. The language was formed by the merger of four Germanic dialects: Angle, Saxon, Jute and Frisian.

Nonstandard and standard words can be found in the dictionary.
Nonstandard and standard words can be found in the dictionary.

In the 11th century, the upper levels of English-speaking society were removed and replaced with French-speaking ones. This led to the language being a bottom-up language. There were no rules and no concept of standard English until the 17th century, when the upper classes were all speaking English as their native tongue and intellectuals were trying to apply Latin grammar rules to it.

The English language is constantly evolving.
The English language is constantly evolving.

Standard and nonstandard English is a controversial topic. There is no one universal standard for the language like there is for French, Japanese and Mandarin. No one English-speaking country can impose its standards on the other. The safest definition of standard, therefore, is the school taught or most widely-spoken dialect or any one English-speaking country. In Britain, this means that Queen’s English, a variant of Southern or London English, is the standard.

Some Haitian-Americans speak a pidgen language that combines English and Creole.
Some Haitian-Americans speak a pidgen language that combines English and Creole.

Due to its fragmented nature, English has no academic body setting standards and overseeing the language’s rules. Many other nations have such a body, for example, the French Academy. English, thus, has more freedom to evolve and more fluidity to ignore the rules. For example, the Oxford English Dictionary in Britain and Webster’s Dictionary in America define what words and spellings constitute standard and nonstandard English.

Nonstandard English deviates from what are recognized as the standard or basic rules of usage.
Nonstandard English deviates from what are recognized as the standard or basic rules of usage.

English is rich with dialects. The largest number of dialects is to be found in Britain, with its longer history of semi- or complete isolation. This has led to such dialects as Lowland Scots, Scouse, Geordie and Cockney. America and other former British colonies developed their languages as mass communication devices such as radios and televisions became more popular. Such devices have been blamed for reducing the prevalence of dialects across the English speaking world.

The other form of nonstandard English is the user of incorrect English. Dialectal words and phrases are not incorrect; they are just uncommon or localized. Incorrect usage means a person does not understand a word’s true meaning or the correct grammar/syntax of a sentence. Such errors are often down to poor education, deprivation or learning difficulties.

The distinction between standard and nonstandard English for any one English speaker has been blurred by modern technology. Australians, South Africans and Brits watch almost as many American television programs as Americans, leading those people to be perfectly comfortable with, what is to them, nonstandard English. The same can be said for books that are not altered to fit a nation’s standard English and the rise of nonstandard English speaking personalities and writers.

Discussion Comments

Phaedrus

The biggest controversy over nonstandard English I've ever seen was over the acceptance of "Ebonics" as a dialect for schools. Ebonics is a version of English used by a lot of African-American families. African-American children were using it when writing term papers or answering questions in class. Teachers usually tried to discourage Ebonics, because it sounded too informal compared to standard English. Some parents complained that the schools were trying to force their children to conform to "white" English instead of accepting their common use of Ebonics.

The state board of education did consider creating a new policy that would recognize Ebonics as a separate but equal dialect, but the policy was never implemented. Some instructors were concerned that allowing Ebonics in school would hamper students' chances of employment at a time when the use standard English would be expected.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Nonstandard and standard words can be found in the dictionary.
      By: Sebastian Crocker
      Nonstandard and standard words can be found in the dictionary.
    • The English language is constantly evolving.
      By: Ackley Road Photos
      The English language is constantly evolving.
    • Some Haitian-Americans speak a pidgen language that combines English and Creole.
      By: poco_bw
      Some Haitian-Americans speak a pidgen language that combines English and Creole.
    • Nonstandard English deviates from what are recognized as the standard or basic rules of usage.
      By: takasu
      Nonstandard English deviates from what are recognized as the standard or basic rules of usage.