Standard English
Formal linguistic norm
Standard English is the variety of English widely accepted as correct in formal contexts—education, government, professional communication, and published writing.
It follows established conventions of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary that educated speakers recognize across regions.
Standard English isn't any particular accent but rather a set of written and grammatical norms: The report should be written in standard English.
What counts as standard varies somewhat between countries; British and American standard English differ in spelling and occasional vocabulary while remaining mutually intelligible.
Smooth linguistic command
- articulationClear vocal expression
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
- vocabularyOne's word collection
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
eloquence · discourse · conversation · expression · comprehension · accent · idiom · colloquialism
Regional language variety
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
semantics · sociolinguistics · variation · register · vernacular · prescriptive · descriptive · codification
Ability to read, write
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- readingInterpreting written text
writing · curriculum · textbooks · instruction · classrooms · essays · exams · pedagogy
Concerning relations among countries
- lingua francaShared tongue between peoples
- cross-culturalInvolving multiple societies
- global communicationExchange spanning all countries
- multinationalOperating across multiple countries
trade language · diplomatic · media · broadcasting · tourism · translation · accessibility
Following strict protocol
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- refinedPurified or cultured
- properSocially appropriate
- correctFree from error
conventional · official · prestigious · educated · cultivated · sophisticated · received · prescriptive
fluency
Smooth linguistic command
- articulationClear vocal expression
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
- vocabularyOne's word collection
grammar · eloquence · discourse · conversation · expression · comprehension · accent · idiom · colloquialism · clarity
dialect
Regional language variety
morphology · semantics · sociolinguistics · variation · register · vernacular · prescriptive · descriptive · codification · norm
literacy
Ability to read, write
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
reading · writing · curriculum · textbooks · instruction · classrooms · essays · exams · pedagogy · language arts
international
Concerning relations among countries
- lingua francaShared tongue between peoples
- cross-culturalInvolving multiple societies
- global communicationExchange spanning all countries
multinational · trade language · diplomatic · media · broadcasting · tourism · translation · accessibility
formal
Following strict protocol
correct · conventional · official · prestigious · educated · cultivated · sophisticated · received · prescriptive · normative
Standard Englishdialect
Regional language variety
regional dialect · slang · vernacular · patois · creole
Standard Englishregional dialect
Geographically distinct speech variety
Standard Englishcasual speech
Unstudied everyday language
colloquial language · slang · everyday speech · conversational English · street talk
standard, standards, standardize, standardized, standardization, standardizing, nonstandard, substandard, English