Tuesday 15th June 2021
LC: To analyse the features of standard and non-standard English within speech.
Standard and non-standard English is used in Clive King's novel Stig of the Dump.
Here are two direct speech sentences taken from Chapter 4. One is written in standard English and the other non-standard English.
Can you work out which one is standard English and which one is non-standard English?
What are your reasons for this?
"Hunting, Stig," urged Barney. "Foxes! Seek 'em out, Stig!"
"There must be foxes here somewhere. Keep a good look out and we might see one," said Barney.
Features of standard and non-standard English in direct speech.
Standard English | Non-standard English |
Formal and polite Follows grammatical rules Correct tenses and pronouns used Correct spelling
| Informal and friendly Does follow most grammatical rules but may also include: -Contractions how’d, you’d, you’re, we’d -Slang sick, quid, mate, gutted, cheers - Words linked to where you live – d’ya, gonna, hallo, hey up, int it ot (isn’t it hot), innit (isn’t it) - incorrect spelling (tonight – tonite, thanks – thanx) |
Your Task
Use the table to help you analyse some direct speech taken from the Stig of the Dump story.
Step One: Read the direct speech sentences and decide whether they are standard or non-standard English.
Step Two: Highlight the features that make you think this.
This task can be found on Seesaw.