English in South Africa

English in South Africa PDF

Author: Joachim von Meien

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2007-01-11

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 3638590364

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Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,5, University of Hannover (Philosophische Fakultät), course: Hauptseminar: English in Africa, 23 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: English came to South Africa through colonization by the end of the 18th century. Around 200 years later it is widely spoken in Africa’s most southern country although it is not the sole official language. It equally shares that status together with Afrikaans and nine African indigenous languages – at least in theory. This paper is supposed to characterize the development and current status of the English language in South Africa. The multicultural state has an eventful and dramatic history. It is important to outline and explain that varied history in this linguistic paper because it had a major effect on language spread and development in South Africa, which has since the arrival of the Europeans never been completely linguistically homogenous. English in South Africa can not be understood without taking a closer look at more than 300 years of eventful history. Chapter two is going to give an overview of that history referring thereby to different recognized historians and their works. After that there will be a closer look at the status of English in today’s South African society. The next chapter has three different focuses. It will take a closer look at the governmental policy of multilingualism and its outcomes in practice. Also the role of the English language in the media and education system of South Africa will be examined. The question needs to be answered, which trends for the future are becoming obvious concerning the role of English in South Africa. Will it be extended in the future or rather suffer from competition through other languages? What is today’s image of English in comparison to the other “imported” language, namely Afrikaans? After having finished the general description of SAE there will be a closer look at its linguistic features. Two major kinds of South African Englishes will thereby be distinguished: White South African English (WSAFE) and Black South African English (BSAFE). Both will be examined in chapters four and five. The theoretical knowledge gained in chapters four and five will then be applied in a phonological analysis of a Black South African speaker of English, namely a 17 year old girl with Zulu background.

Sounds of English Worldwide

Sounds of English Worldwide PDF

Author: Raymond Hickey

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2023-05-09

Total Pages: 439

ISBN-13: 1119131278

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An in-depth exploration of the sound systems of varieties of English around the world, written by a renowned authority in the field In Sounds of English Worldwide, Raymond Hickey delivers a rigorous overview of the sound systems of varieties of English throughout the world. Beginning with an overview of the history and contexts of global varieties of English, this book guides readers through the spread of English during the colonial era leading up to the present day. The second section of the book broadly considers developments in the English-speaking world, accounting for the factors that triggered regional changes and resulted in diverse scenarios for English, including language contact and shift, new dialect formation , and the use of English in non-anglophone contexts. To assist students in learning how to approach the study of varieties of English, this valuable text addresses research questions of general interest to linguists and explores a variety of fieldwork methods commonly used by researchers in the area. This useful book offers: A thorough introduction to English today, including its geographical and social distribution, focusing on variation and change around the world Practical discussions of key changes in late modern English that determined the unique phonetic profile of different varieties of the language In-depth examination of present-day scenarios and how they might pan out in the future development of English, considering the many factors which may shape global forms of the language Includes useful summaries of varieties of English with a glossary and timeline, providing a quick reference of the key features of English around the world for students Considers research issues and methods to aid students in applying the material of the book to their own studies Perfect for graduate students, advanced undergraduate students, and researchers studying varieties of Englishes, Sounds of English Worldwide will earn a place in the libraries of linguists and students studying Englishes worldwide from a sociolinguistic perspective as well as langague contact , bilingualism, the rise of new varieties along with English phonetics and phonology more generally.

The Sounds of English Around the World

The Sounds of English Around the World PDF

Author: Jette G. Hansen Edwards

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2023-07-31

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 110884166X

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Focusing on English varieties around the world, this textbook provides a full introduction to key concepts in phonetics and phonology. It is accompanied with a range of integrated online resources, and includes in-chapter exercises throughout, making it essential reading for students and teachers of World Englishes, Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Aspects of the English Language in South Africa - Focusing on Language Identity and Language Varieties

Aspects of the English Language in South Africa - Focusing on Language Identity and Language Varieties PDF

Author: Hildegard Schnell

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13: 3640506227

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Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1,7, University of Duisburg-Essen, course: English in Africa, 14 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Due to the spread of English to so many parts of the world which was triggered during the colonial era and by migration of English-speaking people, the importance of English not only as a language of commerce, science and technology but also as an international language of communication has been realized (Platt, Weber, Ho 1984: 1). In my research paper I will provide an overview of the English language in South Africa by looking at its origins concerning the historical background. Furthermore, I am going to focus on the English language in South Africa in more detail in order to point out the influence of the immigrants' speech from England and Scotland on some phonetic features of South African English. Eventually, I am going to discuss whether the spread of English can be seen as an evidence of a "killer language" which has been used as a tool for subtle linguistic imperialism, occurring at the expense of local languages, stabilizing hierarchical structures and reinforcing existing status differentials (de Klerk 1996: 7-8). So, the main purpose of my paper is to show that the English language in South Africa before, during and after apartheid policy is one of the official languages since there is more than one local language in a multilingual nation. While English in South Africa is seen by many "as a medium of achieving and announcing independence and maturity, for many others English represent colonialism, power and elitism, and acts as a vehicle of values not always in harmony with local traditions and beliefs" (de Klerk 1996: 7). In this chapter, I will focus on the historical and social background of the English language in South Africa in regard to different language varieties. In the following, based on Roger Lass's articl

The Standard in South African English and Its Social History

The Standard in South African English and Its Social History PDF

Author: Len W. Lanham

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1979-01-01

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 3872762109

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This study of the South African variety of English is an exercise in the sociology of language conducted mainly within the conceptual framework and methodology created by William Labov. It accepts that social process and social structure are reflected in patterns of covariation involving linguistic and social variables, and in attitudes to different varieties of speech within the community. This premise is pursued here in its historical implications: linguistuic evidence in present-day speech patterns of earlier states of the society and of the social, political and cultural changes that have brought about the present state. The second main focus in this volume is directed at the concept of standard variety, that is the social attributes and functions of a formal speech pattern for which the status of standard might be claimed.

English in South Africa

English in South Africa PDF

Author: Hildegard Schnell

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13: 3640506294

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Examination Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1.3, University of Duisburg-Essen, language: English, abstract: Due to the spread of English to so many parts of the world which was triggered during the colonial era and by migration of English-speaking people, the importance of English not only as a language of commerce, science and technology but also as an international language of communication has been realized (Platt, Weber, Ho 1984:1). This world-wide expansion of English means that it is now one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, with well over four hundred million native speakers and roughly the same number who speak it as a second language (Barber 2000:236). Consequently, many varieties of English evolved which also means that English is used for many different purposes in varying social contexts. Whereas in North America, Australia and New Zealand the native English-language speakers outnumbered the original inhabitants (Amerindians, Australian Aborigines, Maoris), the native English-speaking community in South Africa is small with a vast majority of the population speaking Afrikaans and indigenous Bantu languages such as Zulu or Xhosa. In spite of this, South African English has undergone relatively little influence from the other languages of the country due to the long period of British domination and the cultural prestige of English (237). Therefore, social variations in the English language in South Africa are extant with very little regional variation.