Linguistic and cultural diversity of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Kryukova Liudmila Sergeevna

The article deals with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the point of view of the interaction of Standard English, World Englishes, other official languages of the country and the languages of immigrants. The author notes that the English language proficiency has become a special socio-cultural marker, the necessary condition for a successful career and social growth. However, many immigrants living in the communities often have little contact with the outside world and may have little or no use of the English language. Keeping their native language and culture in the foreign country, communicating in their own narrow circle, they are not assimilated by the local population, which causes tension in British society.

Keywords:language, culture, Standard English, World Englishes, migration processes, linguistic and cultural diversity.