Standardisation and Codification

The idea that there is — or should be — a single "correct" form of English is so deeply embedded in modern culture that it seems natural and inevitable. In fact, the concept of a standard language is the product of specific historical, political, and technological developments. Understanding how and why standardisation occurred is essential for A-Level English Language because it underpins debates about "correct" usage, linguistic inequality, and attitudes to language change.

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What Is Standardisation?

Standardisation is the process by which one variety of a language is selected and promoted as the norm for public and formal use, while other varieties are correspondingly marginalised.

It is crucial to understand that a standard language is not linguistically superior to non-standard varieties. All dialects are fully functional linguistic systems with their own consistent rules. Standardisation is a social and political process, not a linguistic one.

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Haugen's Four Stages of Standardisation

The Norwegian-American linguist Einar Haugen (1906–1994) proposed a widely used model identifying four stages of standardisation. His framework, first outlined in 1966, remains the standard analytical tool for understanding how standard languages emerge:

1. Selection