English is the language of commerce and tourism, of international politics, of science, the official language of international and multinational companies and industries, the language of air traffic control, of international news agencies, of mass entertainment, of computers and of the Internet. It is assumed that about a quarter of the world`s population is already fluent or competent in English (that means around 1,5 billion people) and that there is a total of 75 territories where English has a special place in society.
These regions can be divided according to the status they give English: Either they have English as a native language, as a second or official language or as a foreign language. This classification is visualized by the so-called Three-circle-model: The inner circle compromises those countries where English is the primary language of communication and is learnt as a native language by the majority of the population. It includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The outer or extended circle represents the countries where English plays an important role in a non-native setting. In many cases these are former British colonies where the English language is part of the countries leading institutions and of various other domains. This circle includes India, Malawi, Singapore and 50 other territories. The expanding circle involves those countries in which English is learnt as a lingua franca by many people. These countries neither have a history of colonization nor have they given English any administrative status. Such countries are Germany, Japan, Israel and a growing number of other states.
Fennel (2004) divides the global spreading of English that has lead to its status as a world language into four phases:
I. British colonialism from the seventeenth to the twentieth century
II. British leadership in the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries
III. American economic superiority and political leadership
IV. American technological domination
In what follows we will focus on the first phase: The colonial expansion of English, which also marks the beginning of the Modern English period. The main idea of this term paper is to introduce the most popular varieties of English around the world and to familiarize with the historical facts and development of these countries emphasizing on the specific linguistic characteristics.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. American English (Christina Boampong)
3. Canadian English (Gergana Penova)
4. Black English (Christina Boampong)
5. Australian English (Gergana Penova)
6. New Zealand English (Christina Boampong)
7. South African English (Gergana Penova)
8. South Asian English (Christina Boampong)
9. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper explores the global expansion of the English language, specifically focusing on the colonial period and the subsequent development of various English varieties. The primary research goal is to introduce the most popular varieties of English worldwide and to examine their specific historical, cultural, and linguistic characteristics.
- The colonial history and establishment of English in various territories.
- Linguistic diversification and the impact of contact with indigenous and immigrant languages.
- Key phonological, grammatical, and lexical features of regional English varieties.
- The status of English as a world language and the factors influencing its evolution.
- The role of immigration, trade, and politics in shaping English in the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific.
Excerpt from the Book
2. American English (Christina Boampong)
Before the Europeans began to colonize North America, there was already a population of some four million Natives living there. European settlement in America only started after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. He had intended to sail to India by going west and actually thought he had landed there; therefore he called the Native Americans Indians (Tottie 2002).
The first real attempt by the English to establish a settlement in the New World was made in 1584 when an expedition led by Sir Walter Raleigh landed on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. Because of ongoing conflicts with the Natives they had to send ships back to England for help and supplies. When these ships returned in 1590, all the settlers had disappeared and could not be found again. The first successful permanent English settlement was established in 1607 and was called Jamestown after James I. It was situated in Chesapeake Bay and Virginia became the first English colony in 1609. In November 1620 a group of puritan settlers, the so-called Pilgrim Fathers, arrived on the Mayflower at Cape Cod Bay and established a settlement at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. They had fled from religious persecution in England and wanted to found a kingdom that they could run according to their own ideals and principles. This settlement was successful: by 1640 about 25 000 immigrants had come to the area (Crystal 2003) (see figure 3).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the global status of English and outlines the four historical phases of its spread, focusing on colonial expansion.
2. American English (Christina Boampong): This chapter details the early settlement history of North America and explores how 17th-century English roots and subsequent immigration waves shaped American dialects.
3. Canadian English (Gergana Penova): This chapter examines the development of Canadian English, highlighting the influence of Loyalists and the interplay between British and American linguistic traditions.
4. Black English (Christina Boampong): This chapter discusses the origins and unique linguistic features of African American Vernacular English, which emerged from contact between enslaved people and colonists.
5. Australian English (Gergana Penova): This chapter traces the development of Australian English from its origins as a penal colony and analyzes the leveling effect of early immigration.
6. New Zealand English (Christina Boampong): This chapter covers the history of New Zealand as a British colony and investigates the social and indigenous influences on its specific vocabulary.
7. South African English (Gergana Penova): This chapter explores the complex linguistic landscape of South Africa, shaped by colonial conflict and contact with Afrikaans and Bantu languages.
8. South Asian English (Christina Boampong): This chapter focuses on the establishment of English in South Asia as a legacy of British rule and the subsequent process of nativization in the region.
9. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the factors contributing to the diversity of colonial Englishes and speculates on the future of English as a global, yet evolving, language.
Key Words
Modern English, Colonial Expansion, American English, Canadian English, Black English, Australian English, New Zealand English, South African English, South Asian English, Lingua franca, Nativization, Dialect, Pidgin, Creole, British Empire
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this term paper?
The paper examines the historical and linguistic development of various varieties of English that emerged during the era of British colonial expansion.
Which varieties of English are specifically analyzed in the text?
The paper covers American, Canadian, Black (African American), Australian, New Zealand, South African, and South Asian English.
What is the central research question?
The paper aims to introduce the most popular varieties of English globally and to analyze how historical facts and settlement patterns influenced their specific linguistic characteristics.
What methodology is used to characterize these varieties?
The authors utilize historical and sociolinguistic approaches, documenting the origin of settlements, immigration patterns, and the impact of contact with other languages and dialects.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body treats the specific history of colonization in each respective region, the emergence of local dialects, and the distinguishing phonological, grammatical, and lexical features found in these Englishes.
How would you summarize the work using keywords?
Key terms include: Modern English, colonial expansion, linguistic variety, dialect formation, sociolinguistics, and global language status.
How does the history of American settlement relate to current dialect differences?
Early settlers from different regions of England carried specific linguistic traits to their colonies, which were later preserved or merged through westward population movements.
What does the term "nativization" mean in the context of South Asian English?
It refers to the process where local South Asian linguistic structures, such as syntax or native lexical items, are incorporated into English, creating a unique regional variety.
How has the role of African American Vernacular English evolved?
Originally emerging from the contact between enslaved people and slave traders, it has developed into a distinct variety with specific grammatical rules that is now spreading globally through media and culture.
- Citar trabajo
- Christina Boampong (Autor), Gergana Penova (Autor), 2005, The Colonial Expansion of English - English as a global language, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/146498
