New Zealand version of the English language

New Zealand has two official languages ​​- English and Maori language , although it is mainly English-speaking country . New Zealand version of the English language is different from Australian English , it is clean and clear and easy to understand in the world.

There are marked differences between species of the New Zealand version of the English language, functioning on the North and South islands of this country.

Language of New Zealand feels the four fold pressure in addition to the problem that must be solved to speakers of other primary choices - how to cope with the effects of competing British and American options , the New Zealanders have to solve interoperability problems with Australian English language and interaction with Maori ( Maori population is about 12 % of 3,5 - million population ) .

In New Zealand, RP accent is very much appreciated and is associated with the formation and competence , but local dialects or accents have a higher degree of attractiveness.

The real problem with the New Zealand English is well illustrated by the following proverb: "From the British frying pan into the American fire" ( from the British in the American fire frying pan ) . There is an undoubted influence on American pronunciation and vocabulary of New Zealanders .

Some linguists believe that the country is formed and Maori version of the English language (Maori English) ( Ilish , Schweitzer, 1971, 1975 ) .

Uniqueness sociolinguistic situation in New Zealand is combined influence of British , American , Australian , local varieties of English and Maori language. All these factors have initiated the formation of the New Zealand version of the English language.

In New Zealand English is cleaner than in Australia, closer to the classic British English . New Zealanders themselves say that their country - the second Britain or " England in the Southern Ocean " ( Goldenkov , 2000:37 ) . But the remoteness of Albion and proximity to local Maori people left their mark on New Zealand English language. In particular, they say here with lulling intonation. On this occasion, there is a joke : " If you can not sleep , talk to the New Zealander " ( Goldenkov , 2000:41 ) . New Zealanders often say words like sex and six equally .

Development of the New Zealand version of the English language can be seen as an attempt to align the double asymmetry with the UK and Australia. New Zealand has not experienced themselves, unlike Australia, mass emigration from non-English speaking countries after World War II . However, it took a considerable amount of immigrants - Pacific Islanders . New Zealand continues to be a " very British" ( Arakin , 2001:302 ) .

Kakih-nibud twenty years ago the New Zealand version of the English language was perceived as a language option , largely reminiscent of Australian English , but closer to British English .

However, a number of changes made ​​New Zealand English vowels more distinguishable than Australian English . These changes include : centralized [i] in [a] as in thick, thin; rise [e] to [i] as a concession; narrowing [æ] to [e] as in cat; merger [æ] and [e] and [i], for example , fair / fear, air / ear. In New Zealand English is a clear distinction between words beginning with w and wh, wh being close to the reverse sequence of sounds , ie, [h + w], resulting in [w] stunned ; [j] - palatalizuetsya : "Yes " New Zealanders is pronounced [jies]; [ou] goes into triphthong [ ouz ]; [i] → [ zi ] , as well as in Australia ; [a:] - more cutting than in Britain .; [ou] → [o ] in the position before [l]; [ ez ] - the first element of this sound is characterized by a very high degree of secrecy and therefore [ ez ] approaching monophthong .

New Zealand version of English grammar is very similar to the Australian one .

In the New Zealand version of the English language, as well as in Australian English , is divided into three types: " cultured " (Cultivated), " general " (General) and " broad " (Broad New Zealand English) ( Koptelova , 2000:32 ) .

RP pronunciation is still perceived as more prestigious than the " cultured " the New Zealand version of the English language. It is stronger in the agricultural and conservative South Island than in urbanized and modern North Island.

Development of the New Zealand version of the English language is in the direction departing from the Australian " Big Brother " (big brother) ( Crystal , 2001:153 ) .

Despite the strong American influence , Australian and New Zealand versions of English are likely offshoot of the British rather than American English .

Conclusion

In writing this work, we set ourselves several goals: to consider the basic phonetic, lexical and grammatical features of each of the most well-known varieties of English .

During the work we have seen that each variant of English has its own distinctive features caused by the historical development , the influence of the languages ​​of neighboring countries , as well as the language of the indigenous population.

Thus , we can conclude that lexical differences of American are very extensive because of many loanwords from Spanish and Indian languages, which was not in British English. As for the grammatical peculiarities of the American version , they do not have in modern English legal status .

Australian version of English is very diverse and bears the features of both American and British variants . Moreover, the problem is complicated by the presence of three different types of peer pronunciation. Although in most cases this differentiation does not lead to a complication of the communicative process , and is the only criterion for determining social status.

In Canadian English in grammar not found significant differences with the British one . But there are many specific words that are unique to Canadian English . Basically, they are associated with features of Canadian life, nature , etc.

Despite the strong American influence , Australian and New Zealand versions of English are likely offshoot of the British rather than American English .

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