Pronunciational Swings: British and American Influences on the English Pronunciation of English as a Second Language Learners in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, which used to be British Ceylon for nearly 15 decades, BrE used to hold a dominant position in all aspects of life. Under globalisation, a shift is observed taking place towards AmE due to numerous developments in science, technology, industry, commerce, politics, and popular culture. Academics and professionals depend on audiovisual recordings of presentations produced either in Standard British English (BrE) or Standard American English (AmE) and broadcast in public media. Against this background, this paper examines the dynamicity of English pronunciation in Sri Lanka caused by BrE and AmE, to which the ESL learners on the island are daily exposed. It also investigates the extent to which BrE and AmE respectively influence English pronunciation in Sri Lanka, filling a notable gap in the existing literature. The research provides valuable insights into some emerging trends in English pronunciation in Sri Lanka, the conditions that influence the Sri Lankan speakers’ attitudes toward the two varieties of English, and the support the ESL teachers can derive from their awareness of pronunciational swings between BrE and AmE in organising teaching practices and materials. Further, some major pronunciation differences between BrE and AmE are explored, highlighting both disparities and exceptions consistent in certain phonetic features. Finally, it explores the dynamicity of English pronunciation in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the need to consider both local and global factors in ESL teaching, with suggestions for effective language learning and communication in global contexts.