Analysis of words ending in ‘-ism’ reveals distinct thematic focuses across different English dialects.
South Asian and East Asian English (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Malaysia)
Words: `terrorism`, `extremism`, `nationalism`, `secularism`, `buddhism`, `hinduism`
Discourse in these regions is frequently concerned with political conflict and religious identity. `Terrorism` and `extremism` are exceptionally common, especially in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This is matched by high frequencies for terms of identity like `nationalism` and `secularism`. Specific religions are also prominent topics, with `hinduism` appearing often in India and `buddhism` being overwhelmingly frequent in Sri Lanka and also common in Hong Kong and Malaysia.
African, Caribbean, and Oceania English (South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia)
Words: `tourism`, `colonialism`, `activism`, `multiculturalism`
These dialects show a strong focus on economic activity and post-colonial topics. `Tourism` is a dominant word across most of these nations, highlighting its economic importance. The historical legacy of `colonialism` is a significantly more frequent topic in the African nations, while `activism` is also prominent, particularly in South Africa. `Multiculturalism` stands out as a key term in Canada and Australia, reflecting national policy and identity.
North American and British English (US, Canada, Great Britain)
Words: `racism`, `conservatism`, `atheism`, `feminism`, `sexism`, `autism`
In these dialects, discussions often center on social issues, political ideologies, and health. The United States, in particular, shows the highest frequency for terms like `racism`, `conservatism`, `atheism`, and `autism`. Words related to social justice movements, such as `feminism` and `sexism`, are also most prominent in this group, indicating that these debates are a more frequent feature of their public discourse compared to other region
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