DIALECT OR DISTANCE? WHY “STANDARD ENGLISH” IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT

Abstract

The concept of “Standard English” is often perceived as a fixed and superior form of the English language. However, linguistic research shows that it is not a naturally superior variety but rather a socially constructed norm shaped by historical, political, and cultural forces. This article explores the idea that the distinction between “dialect” and “standard” is not purely linguistic but deeply influenced by power, identity, and social perception.