THE LINGUISTIC FRAMEWORK OF MULTICULTURAL LONDON ENGLISH

Abstract

The article focuses on the linguistic framework of Multicultural London English (MLE) – an evolving variety of English that has emerged in the multicultural context of London and other British urban communities, particularly among young people from diverseethnic backgrounds. Its appearance, spread, and development reflect the complex social and cultural mosaic of London and some othercities, determined by the processes of immigration and globalization. MLE is viewed as a blending of linguistic features loaned fromsome British dialects (London’s Cockney and Estuary) and different ethnic communities, including Caribbean, African, South Asian, and European influences. There is an attempt to identify the true origin of MLE and connect it with the general tendencies of the Englishlanguage transformations in the modern world. We managed to trace the roots of MLE to the post-World War II period when massive waves of immigration from former British colonies brought together speakers from a variety of linguistic backgrounds. The immigrants interacted with each other and with the local English-speaking population, inducing the creation of a new form of speech.Our special attention in the research is paid to the fact that MLE is not simply a hybrid language but a dynamic dialect, or evena sociolect, that continues to evolve. Its influence is spreading across the city and some urban communities, with some features becoming generally accepted in Standard British English, while it is most commonly spoken by young Londoners in working-class areas. MLEis not only the manifestation of the linguistic diversity of its speakers, but it also expresses their identity in a multicultural speaking environment. The rise of MLE has aroused numerous debates about linguistic and social integration in the context of its coexistencewith Standard British English. However, its continued evolution demonstrates the dynamic nature of language in urban communities, illustrating how they assimilate and adapt linguistic practices to reflect their diverse social realities.