Spread of English Flashcards
Where was English spoken in 1600?
It was spoken by about 4 million people on a large island in Northern Europe.
How did English spread overseas?
By 1607, the English had established a colony in Jamestown Virginia.
By 1610, they established a colony in Newfoundland.
the emergence of New Englishes
The foundations of the British Empire were strengthened by aggressive British colonialism.
What are New Englishes?
Refers to distinct contact varieties spoken in settings where English is not the language spoken by the population.
Inner, Outer vs Expanding Circle
New Englishes are associated in Outer Circle varieties
Why is the term New Englishes misleading?
Some of the South Asian and South East Asian varieties are actually ‘older’ than Inner Circle varieties. The designation “World Englishes” is sometimes used instead. It is a shift away from believing that British and American English are the major varieties.
Sociolinguistic criteria for New English
- English is used as a medium of instruction.
- It has developed in an area where English is not native.
- It is used by a range of functions by those who speak it.
- It has become indigenized or nativized by adopting local features of its own.
Dynamic model
Which is the key phase?
- Foundation
- Exonormative stabilization
- Nativization
- Endonormative stabilization
- Differenciation
How was the relationship between Singlish and Singaporean Standard English modelled?
- With the lectal continuum framework
- Choice of lect influenced by: social status and education level
Lectal continuum
Acrolect (local variety)
Mesolect (intermediate)
Basilect (most vernacular variety)
