Hello everybody!
Today I'm going to talk a bit more about the 'Tree Model of Languages'.
But before that, I need to explain the '3-Group Model'. This model states that there are three different groups of speakers, namely English as a native language, English as a second language and English as a foreign language. In order to divide all of the English speakers into these groups, we have to take their proficiency into account. There are, however, several reasons why this model has not been accepted. First of all, the difference between English as a native language and English as a second language. In India, for example, the citizens are bilingual, so what is their place in this model? Does that mean that they are considerd to have English as their second language, or as their native language?
You can also say that this model does not apply to contemporary English anymore, but more to earlier phases of English. When you are a non- standard native speaker of English, you might feel very anxious to use English depending on the context. You might not feel comfortable with your level of proficiency. Or, in another case, someone from India who has English as his second language might think of himself as proficient in English, but on the other hand he might feel very anxious when forced to use the language.
This brings us to the Tree model by Streven.
The Tree Model says that every languages comes from a single parent language, anologous to the biological evolution. It is explained perfectly in the picture below. The tree shows the evolution of languages.
There are, however, a lot of limitations to this model. In the tree model of English, they take British English and American English as the two main branches, but what do they mean by these two varieties? There is a standard variety of British English, but even the Standard is only a variety. So the model is obsolete, because it does not contemplate varieties.
So, how can we take the different varieties into account? It is better to use a Banyan tree, instead of an oak tree. A Banyan tree cannot prosper on its own and needs the seeds of other trees to develop. It is the same case with languages: languages are always in contact with each other and take features from one another. This means that some varieties survive and that some do not.
If you exchange the oak tree for the banyan tree, the model makes a lot more sense and is more correct. Still, it is not the best model out there. Nevertheless, it is still importante since it was one of the first models to bring the evolution of languages into account.
Thanks for reading!
See you soon!
x Evelien x
Sources:
http://www.sssscomic.com/comicpages/196.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/10/18/32120A8000000578-3486215-A_new_threat_is_facing_the_iconic_oak_tree_stock_image_Experts_h-a-118_1457633960069.jpg
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Uee9ebQg_hI/s/1000/banyan-tree-0001.jpg
Today I'm going to talk a bit more about the 'Tree Model of Languages'.
But before that, I need to explain the '3-Group Model'. This model states that there are three different groups of speakers, namely English as a native language, English as a second language and English as a foreign language. In order to divide all of the English speakers into these groups, we have to take their proficiency into account. There are, however, several reasons why this model has not been accepted. First of all, the difference between English as a native language and English as a second language. In India, for example, the citizens are bilingual, so what is their place in this model? Does that mean that they are considerd to have English as their second language, or as their native language?
You can also say that this model does not apply to contemporary English anymore, but more to earlier phases of English. When you are a non- standard native speaker of English, you might feel very anxious to use English depending on the context. You might not feel comfortable with your level of proficiency. Or, in another case, someone from India who has English as his second language might think of himself as proficient in English, but on the other hand he might feel very anxious when forced to use the language.
This brings us to the Tree model by Streven.
The Tree Model says that every languages comes from a single parent language, anologous to the biological evolution. It is explained perfectly in the picture below. The tree shows the evolution of languages.
There are, however, a lot of limitations to this model. In the tree model of English, they take British English and American English as the two main branches, but what do they mean by these two varieties? There is a standard variety of British English, but even the Standard is only a variety. So the model is obsolete, because it does not contemplate varieties.
So, how can we take the different varieties into account? It is better to use a Banyan tree, instead of an oak tree. A Banyan tree cannot prosper on its own and needs the seeds of other trees to develop. It is the same case with languages: languages are always in contact with each other and take features from one another. This means that some varieties survive and that some do not.
If you exchange the oak tree for the banyan tree, the model makes a lot more sense and is more correct. Still, it is not the best model out there. Nevertheless, it is still importante since it was one of the first models to bring the evolution of languages into account.
Thanks for reading!
See you soon!
x Evelien x
Sources:
http://www.sssscomic.com/comicpages/196.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/03/10/18/32120A8000000578-3486215-A_new_threat_is_facing_the_iconic_oak_tree_stock_image_Experts_h-a-118_1457633960069.jpg
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Uee9ebQg_hI/s/1000/banyan-tree-0001.jpg
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