LIN2150

English around the world

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Mark Newbrook

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subjects students should know the main distinguishing features, at the key linguistic levels, of the more important varieties of English around the world (native-speaker and `new'; standard and non-standard) and also the origins and development of these features; 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 This subject will focus on `native' varieties of English, with particular emphasis on varieties which are the goals of teaching English as a second or foreign language: Standard British, American and Australian English; social and stylistic variation in Australian English; English in the media; English-based pidgins and creoles in Australia and the Pacific; indigenisation of English in Asia and the Pacific as a combination of substratum (first language) influences, creativity and possible universals; the systematic nature of indigenised varieties of English.

Assessment Written assignments (4000 words): 50%
* 2 class tests (1 hour each): 40%
* Tutorial participation: 10%

Prescribed texts

Trudgill P and Hannah J International English Edward Arnold, 1994