LFU:online

English is the language that has expanded most dramatically in the history of humankind. This course focuses on various forms, i.e. varieties, of English and the way they are spoken all over the world. In so doing, we take a close look at the specific properties of World Englishes as well as sociohistorical and cultural contexts accompanying their emergence.

Taking the concentric circle model of Englishes proposed by Braj Kachru and popularised by David Crystal as a starting point of our account, we go step by step through some prominent examples representing mother-tongue Englishes, second-language Englishes and, finally, Learner Englishes. We furthermore examine the major mechanisms and processes discussed in the theoretical accounts of language contact, which lead to the formation of the new forms of English.

Lecturer's input

Practice

Regular attendance

Active participation

Test

Schneider, Edgar. 2011. English around the World. An Introduction. Cambridge: CUP.

Positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmoduls 10 (Introduction to English Linguistics)