caribbean islands languages
Which English is Best?
With English continuing to develop as a principal world language, a question which often arises among EFL learners is, "Which English is best?" It can be confusing to new learners of all ages as to which one of the "Englishes" should be learned or studied. While the answer to this may depend on your needs and location, one consideration is the many varieties of English that exist and a re spoken world wide.
Here are Seven of the Most Distinctive Varieties of English
o American English
This category of English actually consists of several variations. There are recognizable variations in the spoken English of the South, the Pennsylvania Dutch, the New England region of the U.S., the Midwestern U.S. and the West coast. There is also "Black English" spoken as a distinct racial community variety of English across the USA.
o Black English
You won't have to go very far to hear this distinctive variety of English. Try the latest Rap or Hip Hop offerings or listen to interviews with black artists for the unique flair this English variety has. Grammar, lexis, idioms, expressions and vocabulary are all impacted by this and other varieties of English.
o British English
The origin of English proper, there are "common" variations of English spoken throughout the UK. The "Upper Crust" as it were, used a particular variety of spoken English known as RP or "Received Pronunciation". RP is what the royal family and those educated at Oxford, Cambridge and other high-level universities were taught to use and speak.
o Australian English
No question here, Steve Irwin popularized Australia's unique wildlife in a way like no other before his untimely, accidental death in 2006. Another character who brought Australian English to the forefront of public knowledge was "Crocodile Dundee" in a movie series bearing the same name.
o Jamaican English
Spoken English in Jamaica has always been an interesting variety for the many travelers, vacationers and visitors to this island. It's also used in movies, documentaries and films set in Jamaica. Singer Bob Marley also contributed not only his music, but interest in the culture and spoken English variety of Jamaica as have a number of other Reggae music artists.
o English Spoken in India
A distinctive variety of spoken English is used in India. The language is taught and applied there as a sort of "lingua franca", since there are hundreds of regionally and locally spoken languages and dialects across the Indian continent. Hundreds of movies, documentaries and other media are readily available in this variety of English.
o Varieties of Pidgins and Patois Spoken in a Number of Locations
There are unique, local or regional varieties of English spoken in a number of countries world wide. Places like Belize, the Philippines, several West Indies (Caribbean) islands like Barbados, Trinidad, the Cayman Islands and both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Guyana (formerly British) in South America and African countries where English is widely spoken, each have their own particular brand of spoken English.
English Language Needs and Location
The question, "which English is best?" usually depends on the needs and location of the EFL learner, especially when one considers the many varieties of English that exist and that are spoken world wide.
Products Currently Available at Amazon:
CARIBBEAN PARTY Sale Price: $7.94 |
|
Steel Drums From the Caribbean Islands Sale Price: $14.99 |
|
A Small Place Sale Price: $4.99 |
|
Cocina criolla Sale Price: $13.59 |
|
Haitian Creole Phrasebook: Essential Expressions for Communicating in Haiti Sale Price: $7.86 |
|
Bi-Lingo Sale Price: $19.99 |
|
best Caribbean island to live on?
can anyone narrow it down or give me possible suggestions.
but, not:
puerto rico
dominican republic
or jamaica
an island that:
- language is preferably English
- low to moderate crime rates
- not too expensive to live on
- beautiful beaches
- has some decent-sized cities (not too* excluded)
- presents the opportunity to work in the medical field
(what i'm going to school for)
not puerto rico because i've been there every summer and it's too much like the united states in a different language for me. i want something different, and to experience different cultures.
Try Curacao. It is best know for its beaches and the wonderful people! They can speak English fluently and it's a very modern island. Everything is up to date so it's not that typical small island where its all about hills and flowers but you can go there if you want to relax or whatever. Many people immigrate there to start a new life and they always succeed. Many immigrants are Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Hindus and South Americans. It's basically a multi cultural island. We are a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands so financially it's a very stable island.
Curacao is definitely in need of people with some kind of degree in either teaching or medical so there'll be a job opportunity for you there.
Here's a Video about caribbean islands languages:
jamaica farewell -belafonte