Which Variety Conforms More? A Haugen-Based Comparative Study of American and British English

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of British and American English through the lens of Haugen’s (1966) four-stage model of language standardization, which includes selection, codification, implementation, and elaboration. The research investigates the extent to which each dialect conforms to the model and examines the functional roles of each stage in establishing a standardized variety. Adopting an observational research design, the study traces the historical development of both dialects, including their codification in dictionaries and grammar manuals, institutional implementation in educational and administrative systems, and functional elaboration across literary, legal, scientific, and technical domains. The findings reveal that British English demonstrates higher conformity to Haugen’s model, with the selection of the London dialect driven by socio-political prestige, codification reinforced through prescriptive works such as Johnson’s dictionary (1755) and Lowth’s grammar (1762), implementation achieved via centralized institutions, and elaboration extending the standard while maintaining historical continuity. In contrast, American English, while functionally standardized, follows a more pragmatic and decentralized approach; selection emphasized communication efficiency and national identity rather than prestige, codification relied on Webster’s dictionaries (1828) with less central authority, implementation was dispersed across regional schools and print media, and elaboration prioritized adaptability and innovation to meet the practical needs of a diverse and growing population. Each stage of standardization serves distinct functions: selection legitimizes the dialect, codification stabilizes norms, implementation ensures widespread adoption, and elaboration maintains relevance across social and professional domains. Overall, while both dialects successfully achieve standardization, British English aligns more rigorously with Haugen’s model, reflecting a centralized, historically continuous process, whereas American English demonstrates functional flexibility and context-driven innovation. The study underscores that language standardization is not solely a linguistic process but also a sociocultural mechanism shaped by historical, political, and practical considerations and offers a framework for analyzing other language varieties through Haugen’s model.