Englisches Seminar
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster

HAUPTSEMINAR:
VARIETIES OF STANDARD ENGLISH AROUND THE WORLD

Oliver M. Traxel

WS 11/12
13 Feb-17 Feb 2012
Mo-Fr 9-11, 11-13, 14-16

Room: ES 2


It is common knowledge that English as a first language is spoken not only on the British Isles or the United States, but also in a large number of other places all over the world. However, there are a lot of linguistic features that distinguish the English spoken there from other varieties of standard English. This seminar looks at the differences between these varieties and examines them within various linguistic categories, such as pronunciation and vocabulary.

The individual sessions of this seminar are devoted to one variety each and will cover the English language in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Caribbean. We will also discuss second language varieties in Asia and Africa. Sound- and film-clips will be used to illustrate some characteristics.

Textbook:
G. Melchers and P. Shaw, World Englishes, 2nd ed. (London, 2011).

Recommended starting points for presentations:
R. Hogg, et al., ed., The Cambridge History of the English Language, 6 vols. (Cambridge, 1992-2001), vols. 5 and 6.
B. Kortmann, et al., ed., Varieties of English, 4 vols. (Oxford, 2008).
T. McArthur, Oxford Guide to World English (Oxford, 2002).

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