Which statement about the Circle of World English is true?

• A. It posits a single global standard.
• B. It excludes non-native varieties.
• C. It identifies eight regional standards and rejects a single World Standard English.
• D. It claims only native-speaking varieties are legitimate.

Answer: (C)

English is pluricentric, meaning there isn’t just one global standard. The Circle of World English reframes standardisation as a network of regional norms, identifying eight regional standards and rejecting any claim of a single World Standard English. This reflects how English varieties develop locally—through history, education systems, and cultural context—so each region develops its own accepted norms for pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling, and usage. That’s why the statement about eight regional standards and the rejection of a single World Standard English is the accurate one. It also aligns with the idea that non-native varieties are legitimate and widely used, rather than being excluded or deemed inferior; the other options contradict this pluricentric view by implying a single standard or by privileging only native varieties.