English Linguistics: Varieties of English [ LGERM2821 ]

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This course provides students with a solid background in the study of regional and diatypic varieties of English.

The first part of the course covers regional varieties of English. We will use Kachru's model which represents the use of English around the world as three concentric circles: inner circle (e.g. British or American English), outer circle (e.g. Indian or South African English) and expanding circle (English as a Foreign Language). The issues surrounding the emergence of a new standard for English (International English; English as a Lingua Franca) are also discussed.

The second part of the course deals with diatypic varieties of English (i.e. registers defined in terms of field, mode and tenor). The following varieties are analysed: general English vs English for Specific Purposes; written vs spoken English; formal vs informal English. A wide range of written texts and transcriptions of speech are provided for commentary and analysis. The salient stylistic features are described in linguistic terms (grammatical, lexical and discourse features typical of the genre).

By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the key terms and concepts for studying variation related to both users and uses, and be able to identify and discuss the linguistic features that characterize several regional and diatypic varieties of English.

During the term: oral and critical presentation of a scientific article. Students who have not made an oral presentation will not be allowed to register for the exam.

In June: extended term paper on a variety of English. The paper will have to be submitted by the last day of the term.

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This course introduces the key terms and concepts for studying variation related to both users and uses and describes several regional and diatypic varieties of English. It consists of discussions of required readings and analyses of spoken and written texts. Use will be made of a wide range of spoken and written language corpora.

- Bauer, L. 2002. An Introduction to International Varieties of English. Edinburgh University Press.

- Biber, D. 1991. Variation Across Speech and Writing. Cambridge University Press.

- Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S. & Finnegan, E. 1999. Longman Grammar Spoken and Written English.Longman.

- Crystal, D. 1997.English as a Global Language, Cambridge University Press. Jenkins, J. 2003. World Englishes: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.

- McKay, S. L. 2002. Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford University Press.

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