The sun never sets on the English language—because nobody can agree where it actually rose.

The Traditional Rule:

Standard English is defined by its native speakers—primarily British and American usage. Everyone else should learn “proper” English according to these norms.

Why It’s Broken:

Because the majority of English speakers today are not native speakers. Over 1.5 billion people use English globally, and more than 1 billion of them learned it as a second or foreign language. From call centers in India to classrooms in Nigeria to street signs in Thailand, English has become everyone’s tool—and nobody’s property.

To insist on one “correct” English is to ignore the lived reality of global users. English is no longer British. It’s no longer American. It’s human.

Absurdities and Contradictions:

• Singlish (Singapore English) uses phrases like “Can can!” or “Lah!” and is mocked—despite being clear and locally efficient.

• Indian English has its own rhythm, vocabulary, and grammatical logic—yet is often corrected by Westerners who’ve never left London.

• African Englishes (e.g., Nigerian English) thrive with brilliant innovations—“I’m coming” meaning “I’ll be right back,” or “Let me flash you” for “I’ll call and hang up”—and are entirely internally consistent.

• Philippine English has its own pronunciation rules and idioms. But textbooks pretend it doesn’t exist.

• American English itself began as a “rebellious” dialect. Now it’s an empire of influence.

So… whose English exactly are we preserving?

Real-World Examples: