Varieties of Modern English: An Introduction

by Davies; Diane

• ISBN13: 9780582369962
• ISBN10: 0582369967
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-04-07
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The English language varies in a number of ways, depending on the people who use it, how it is used and in what circumstances.Varieties of Modern Englishgives readers the tools needed to understand the diversity of the English language and the issues surrounding it. Varieties of English is a core undergraduate Linguistics/English language module Useful activities and exercises for students and lecturers Packed full of examples, diagrams and illustrations Written in an accessible way for students with no prior knowledge of the subject

Author Biography

Dr Diane Davies is based at the School of Education, University of Leicester.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgements	x
Publisher's acknowledgements	xi
Setting Out	1	(13)
Introduction	1	(1)
Variation and the individual	2	(2)
Variation and the group	4	(2)
Dialects and accents	6	(6)
Social class and English	7	(2)
`Estuary English'	9	(1)
Dialect and solidarity	10	(2)
Summary	12	(2)
Activities	12	(1)
Further Reading	13	(1)
Studying Varieties	14	(14)
Introduction	14	(1)
Sounds	14	(6)
Words	20	(2)
Phrases and sentences	22	(1)
Texts	23	(2)
Summary	25	(3)
Activities	26	(1)
Further Reading	27	(1)
The March of Modern English	28	(17)
Introduction	28	(1)
Early Modern English	28	(7)
The growth of international English	35	(3)
Attitudes to English usage	38	(3)
Summary	41	(4)
Activities	42	(2)
Further Reading	44	(1)
English from a Global Perspective	45	(15)
Introduction	45	(2)
Inner Circle: American English	47	(5)
Regional dialects	48	(2)
Attitudes	50	(2)
Outer Circle: South Asian English	52	(3)
Features of South Asian English	54	(1)
Expanding Circle: English in Japan	55	(2)
Borrowed words in Japanese	55	(1)
Decorative English	56	(1)
An Expanding Circle variety?	57	(1)
Summary	57	(3)
Activities	58	(1)
Further Reading	58	(2)
Ethnicity and Varieties of English	60	(16)
Introduction	60	(1)
Pidgins and creoles	61	(5)
English-based creoles	61	(4)
Attitudes to creole	65	(1)
African American Vernacular English (AAVE)	66	(6)
Linguistic features of AAVE	67	(4)
Attitudes to AAVE	71	(1)
Chicano English	72	(2)
Linguistic features of Chicano English	72	(1)
Attitudes to Chicano English	73	(1)
Summary	74	(2)
Activities	74	(1)
Further Reading	75	(1)
Gender, Sexuality and English	76	(15)
Introduction	76	(1)
Word forms and meanings	77	(1)
Generic meaning	78	(2)
Gender, talk and discourse	80	(7)
Dominance	81	(1)
Difference	82	(1)
Performativity	83	(2)
Gay, lesbian and transgender discourses	85	(2)
Gender in social discourse	87	(2)
Summary	89	(2)
Activities	89	(1)
Further Reading	90	(1)
Speech, Writing and the New Media	91	(17)
Introduction	91	(1)
Spontaneous speech	91	(2)
Transcribing speech	93	(2)
Rehearsed speech	95	(4)
Written English	99	(3)
Spelling	99	(3)
Email and text-messaging	102	(2)
Chat rooms and message boards	104	(2)
Summary	106	(2)
Activities	106	(1)
Further Reading	107	(1)
English in Context	108	(14)
Introduction	108	(1)
Speech situations	109	(3)
Register	112	(8)
Register analysis	114	(2)
Register combinations	116	(4)
Summary	120	(2)
Activities	121	(1)
Further Reading	121	(1)
English and Power	122	(19)
Introduction	122	(2)
Power in interaction	124	(1)
Powerful varieties	125	(14)
The English of politicians	127	(1)
Media English	128	(9)
Other powerful varieties	137	(2)
Summary	139	(2)
Activities	139	(1)
Further Reading	140	(1)
The Future of English as an International Language	141	(11)
Introduction	141	(2)
(Spoken) English as an international language	143	(4)
Towards descriptions of EIL	144	(3)
Codification	147	(1)
Standard written English	147	(1)
Threats to English	148	(2)
Conclusion	150	(2)
Activities	150	(1)
Further Reading	151	(1)
Comments on Activities	152	(7)
References	159	(5)
Index	164