HENA01151U Engelsk - Valgfag 4: Global English

Årgang 2013/2014
Engelsk titel

English - Elective 4: Global English

Kursusindhold
Kursusbeskrivelsen dækker både Valgfag 4, emne og Valgfag 4, sprogfærdighed, idet begge er integreret i et undervisningsforløb. Den studerende vælger ét blandt de udbudte kurser inden for de tre geografisk bestemte områder amerikanske studier, postkoloniale studier, britisk litteratur, historie og samfundsforhold eller sprogvidenskab.


Global English


One of the most remarkable developments of the modern period has been the unprecedented spread of the English language on a global scale: from New Zealand to Nigeria, and from Singapore to Barbados, English is today the preferred language for most people, at least for some purposes. This development must, of course, be understood first and foremost in the context of the British Empire’s colonial expansion between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries and the types of linguistic contact situations that these historical circumstances caused.
         This module investigates the relationship between British (and, to a lesser extent, American) colonialism and the rise of English as a global language. We shall examine the ways in which the history of British colonialism may help to explain systematic linguistic differences and similarities between various varieties of English, and we will begin by looking at those varieties of English that became established in the ‘New World’ from the seventeenth century onwards (North America, the Caribbean). We will then proceed to consider those varieties of English that emerged in the southern hemisphere as the result of British settlements during the nineteenth century (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa), and also those areas that were not subject to large settlements but which nonetheless, for a variety of reasons, have adopted English as an important second language (central Africa, South-East Asia, the Pacific). Finally, we will consider the current spread of English as a foreign language in East Asia, particularly China.
           While the aim of this module is to make students aware of the relationship between colonialism and linguistic variation in Global English, the focus of the module is firmly on linguistics. Special attention will be paid to the description and analysis of matters pertaining to pronunciation, for which reason the module is particularly suited for students who enjoyed the obligatory course in Phonetics in the second semester.
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Point
7,5 ECTS
Prøveform
Andet
Andet
Valgfag 4, emne 5 ECTS og Valgfag 4, sprogfærdighed 2,5 ECTS
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