Variants and dialects of the English language. American English. Lexicography. Types of Dictionaries

For historical and economic reasons the English language has spread over vast territories. It is the national language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zeland and some provinces of Canada. Besides, it used to be a state language in the former colonies of the British Empire: in Asia, Africa, or in countries which fell under US domination in Central and South America.
The key terms in studying the territorial varieties of the English language are: Standard English, variants, dialects.
Standard English is the official language of Great Britain taught at schools and universities, used by the press, the radio and the television and spoken by educated people.