Braj Kachru’s World Englishes: Re-envisioned

Abstract

Language is the core of the culture (Xue, 2013), and carries culture, but has inextricably association with politics and economy. This study will argue a re-envisioned visual and conceptual framework of the World Englishes presented by Braj Kachru who also coined the same term. Kachru represented the world in circles using historical, sociolinguistic, and literary contexts. It did not cover the idea of societal and political implications. This new visual framework in a stratified pyramid model will expound on the role of English in every country in the world. This framework offers a power-sensitive, more accurate and critical understanding of world englishes. There is a need for  greater linguistic equity, respect for diversity in English, and a shift towards more inclusive and context-sensitive approaches to English language education and communication globally. This calls that English or language, in general, should serve as a tool for connection and empowerment, rather than a source of linguistic hierarchy and discrimination. This change hopes to broaden the scope of "acceptable" English and empower non-native speakers to claim ownership of the language. This re-envisioned model depicts the reality of stratified  inequality in World Englishes despite globalization. Even with the English Language, there is a “class system” or “strata” where the Upper Stratum holds the benchmark or authority, whereas the Lower Strata is still working on or trying to access and the expected “standards” of English which then capitalizes the need to:  (1) call against linguistic discrimination, (2) advocate for an improved pedagogy, and (3) critical understanding of the use of English.