ALM5350

English in Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Mark Newbrook

12 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives The objectives of this subject are that students should know the main distinguishing features, at the key linguistic levels, of the more important varieties of English around the Southeast Asia/ Pacific region (native-speaker and `new'; standard and non-standard) and also the origins and development of these features, and be able to explain the relevant facts using the terminology of linguistics; understand the main facts and issues associated with the statuses and functions of these varieties in the various societies in which they are used, the attitudes which users of English have adopted with respect to these varieties, and the connections between all these issues; be in a position to analyse new situations involving language varieties (English or other) in these terms; be in a position to develop critical and well-informed positions on the practical upshots of these considerations (educational, language planning, etc.)

Synopsis English in native and non-native contexts in Southeast Asia and the Pacific; government language policies affecting English; the position and functions of English in various nations; the indigenisation of English; first language influences and universals in the acquisition of English; attitudes to local varieties of English and the problem of standards.

Assessment Classwork: 20%
* Test equivalent to 2000 words (2 hours): 30%
* Assignments (5000 words): 50%

Prescribed texts

Collins P and Blair D (eds) Australian English: The language of a new society UQP, 1989
Trudgill P and Hannah J International English: A guide to varieties of standard English Arnold, 1994