In this site, you will find:

• definitions of 5 types
  of language varieties

• descriptions of particular varieties spoken around the world (see the
  map below)

• tips for using
  language varieties
  in the classroom
  (where you can have
  your say as well)

• a list of links to other
  websites

• some additional
  references (where
  you can make some
  suggestions, too).

Welcome to the Language Varieties Web Site!!

This site is about varieties of language that differ from the standard variety that is normally used in the media and taught in the schools. These include pidgins, creoles, regional dialects, minority dialects and indigenized varieties.

Many people think that these varieties are just incorrect ways of speaking, but they're not; they're just different! These varieties have their own ways of pronouncing words, their own special vocabulary and even their own grammatical rules.

For example, in American English, you can say, "She's gotten better." But in British English you'd say, "She's got better."

People don't think one way is right and one way is wrong - just that they're different. It's the same with the language varieties described in this site.

* * * * * *
Click on any of the locations on the map below to find out more about a language variety spoken there.

(Or click on the name of the variety below the map.)

You also can hear what some of the varieties sound like!
To do so, click on the name the variety below.
(But beware: it make take a while to download!)

• Listen to Hawai'i Creole
• Listen to Bislama
• Listen to the Newcastle upon Tyne dialect ("Geordie")
  

Contact: Jeff Siegel <jsiegel at une.edu.au>