The Standard English Debate

The question of what Standard English is, who defines it, who should use it, and what its role in education and society should be is one of the most contested language discourses. It sits at the intersection of linguistics, education, politics, and social justice.

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What Is Standard English?

Standard English (SE) is the variety of English that is most widely used in published writing, formal education, government, the legal system, and the media. It is defined primarily by its grammar and vocabulary, not by accent — a speaker of Standard English can have any regional or social accent.

Key Definition: Standard English — the prestige variety of English used in formal written and spoken contexts, defined by its grammar and vocabulary rather than its accent. It is one dialect among many, but it holds unique social, educational, and institutional prestige.

Key characteristics of Standard English include: