In a famous Toastmaster’s Speech Contest that garnered One Million views (2009), Corporate English Communication trainer, (Canadian born) Mariana Pascal, asks whether in Malaysia “local English” or “Standard English” should prevail?
Should they “embrace” local language or dialect as a vivid and colourful part of Malay culture (“local English”)? Or should they “replace” (and efface) their hybrid, combination dialects with “Standard English” (The King’s English)?
Pascal observes that “linguistic habits are very difficult to break,” such as “get down from the car.” So efforts to impose Standard English above local adaptations of English would be doomed to fail. And the change of a single word can entirely alter the meaning of a statement: “You put in fruit [in a blender] after you switch on!” (Which clause does “after” modify?)
Pascal advocates for hybrid, combinations of the local language with English– a both/and . . . not a neither/nor approach to using English. Pascal (as she further details in a TEDTalk from about the same date), “how well somebody communicates in English actually has very little to their literacy level.” It’s about confidence, not feeling judged; assertiveness and being willing to experiment; students must not be shy,
This approach is consistent with community-based teaching and learning.
If you’re an adult seeking “local English” more than “standard English,” please reach out to me. I work with both forms of language and can support your learning journey!
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=local+english+or+standard+english