Varieties of Modern English: An Introduction

Description

The 'story' of English is continually re-told and re-written, as more and more people use the language and have a part in shaping the way it develops. Varieties of Modern English provides a critical introduction to the study of regional, social, gendered, context- and medium-related varieties of the language, and explores some of the debates concerning the role and impact of English in different parts of the world today. Beginning by outlining the main types of variation in language, the book focuses on the link between language or dialect and the construction of both group and individual identities. Issues of identity are crucial to chapters on the roots of Modern English, on gender and English, on ethnicity and English and on English as an international language. As well as looking at a range of 'users' of the language, Davies also explores many of its 'uses' and modes, including the English of literary texts, advertising, newspaper reporting and commentary, political speeches, email and text messaging. Written in a discursive, student-friendly style, the book also provides: • A rich mix of illustrative material • End-of-chapter Activities and related Comments at the end of the book • Suggestions for further reading Varieties of Modern English provides a thought-provoking overview of its subject and will be invaluable reading for students of English Language and Linguistics. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgements Publisher’s acknowledgements Chapter 1. Setting Out 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Variation and the individual 1.3 Variation and the group 1.4 Dialects and accents 1.4.1 Social class and English 1.4.2 ‘Estuary English’ 1.4.3 Dialect and solidarity 1.5 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 2. Studying Varieties 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Sounds 2.3 Words 2.4 Phrases and sentences 2.5 Texts 2.6 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 3. The March of Modern English 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Early Modern English 3.3 The growth of international English 3.4 Attitudes to English usage 3.5 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 4. English from a Global Perspective 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Inner Circle: American English 4.2.1 Regional dialects 4.2.2 Attitudes 4.3 Outer Circle: South Asian English 4.3.1 Features of South Asian English 4.4 Expanding Circle: English in Japan 4.4.1 Borrowed words in Japanese 4.4.2 Decorative English 4.4.3 An Expanding Circle variety? 4.5 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 5. Ethnicity and Varieties of English 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Pidgins and creoles 5.2.1 English-based creoles 5.2.2 Attitudes to creole 5.3 African American Vernacular English (AAVE) 5.3.1 Linguistic features of AAVE 5.3.2 Attitudes to AAVE 5.4 Chicano English 5.4.1 Linguistic features of Chicano English 5.4.2 Attitudes to Chicano English 5.4 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 6. Gender, Sexuality and English 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Word forms and meanings 6.3 Generic meaning 6.4 Gender, talk and discourse 6.4.1 Dominance 6.4.2 Difference 6.4.3 Performativity 6.4.4 Gay, lesbian and transgender discourses 6.5 Gender in social discourse 6.6 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 7. Speech, Writing and the New Media 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Spontaneous speech 7.3 Transcribing speech 7.4 Rehearsed speech 7.5 Written English 7.5.1 Spelling 7.6 Email and text-messaging 7.7 Chat rooms and message boards 7.8 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 8. English in Context 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Speech situations 8.3 Register 8.3.1 Register analysis 8.3.2 Register combinations 8.4 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 9. English and Power 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Power in interaction 9.3 Powerful varieties 9.3.1 The English of politicians 9.3.2 Media English 9.3.3 Other powerful varieties 9.4 Summary Activities Further Reading Chapter 10. The Future of English as an International Language 10.1 Introduction 10.2 (Spoken) English as an international language 10.2.1 Towards descriptions of EIL 10.2.2 Codification 10.3 Standard written English 10.4 Threats to English 10.5 Conclusion Activities Further Reading Comments on Activities References Index