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.
Author(s): Diane Davies
Series: Learning about Language
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 172
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
