After two hundred years of British rule, followed by more than sixty years of independence, English is the most evident heritage of the colonial period in India.
The number of native speakers of English in India is small, but the language plays an important role as a second language, not least because it is an official language in India (Mehrotra 1998:1).
English is omnipresent; in TV, in radio, in print media, at every corner of larger urban areas. Indian English is considered as one of the most important English varieties throughout the world.
“It nevertheless constitutes a minority lect” (Schneider 2007:161), since only approximately 11 percent of the Indian population have a command of English (2001 Census of India). Indian English comes in a range of varieties with distinct phonological features, highly influenced by local languages. But India has also produced its own standard variety, which is comparable to standard (British) English, yet has some features characterizing it as Indian (Kachru 1983:73).
This essay presents the context and current position of Indian English and discusses this English variety within McArthur’s, Kachru’s and Schneider’s models of English. Moreover, it outlines the most striking phonological features of Indian English, which mark this English variety as Indian.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Basic information on Indian English
- 2.1 Demography
- 2.2 Official status
- 2.3 Domains of use
- 2.4 “Indian English”
- 3. Models of Varieties of English: Indian English
- 3.1 Tom McArthur's Wheel model of English
- 3.2 Braj Kachru's Circles model of English
- 3.3 Edgar Schneider's Dynamic model of Postcolonial Englishes
- 4. Phonological Features
- 4.1 Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP) vs. local varieties
- 4.2 Speech rhythm and stress
- 4.3 Consonant sounds
- 4.3.1 [r]
- 4.3.2 [t, th] and [d] for [θ] and [ð]
- 4.3.3 [t] and [d] for [tʃ] and [dʒ]
- 4.3.4 [v] for [v] and [w]
- 4.4 Vowel sounds
- 4.4.2 The long monophthongs
- 4.4.3 Diphthongs
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a contextual overview of Indian English, exploring its role in India and analyzing its unique phonological features. It will examine the language within the frameworks of established models of English varieties. * The historical context and current status of Indian English. * The official status and domains of use of Indian English in India. * The representation of Indian English in various models of English language variation. * The key phonological features that distinguish Indian English from other varieties. * The sociolinguistic implications of Indian English usage.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the significance of Indian English as a prominent variety resulting from British colonial rule and its continued importance in a post-colonial India. The author's personal experiences encountering Indian English during a study abroad program in the United States serve as the motivation for this paper, highlighting the challenges and fascinations of this diverse linguistic landscape and the critical need to understand its unique characteristics. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper examination of Indian English's context, models of classification, and key phonological features. 2. Basic information on Indian English: This chapter provides fundamental details about Indian English, beginning with demographic information about its speakers. It emphasizes that while the number of native English speakers is small, the number of second-language speakers is vast, making India a globally significant English-speaking nation. The chapter goes on to discuss the official status of English in India, its role in various sectors (administration, education, media, commerce), and its unique position as a language that unites diverse populations within the country despite the multitude of regional languages. The section emphasizes the pervasive use of English in Indian society, underscoring its importance in modern India. 3. Models of Varieties of English: Indian English: This section analyzes Indian English through the lens of three prominent models: McArthur's Wheel model, Kachru's Circles model, and Schneider's Dynamic model. By applying these models, the chapter aims to classify and contextualize Indian English within broader understandings of English as a global language and to understand its unique characteristics within a larger world-linguistic landscape. This allows for an in-depth understanding of the position and role that Indian English occupies in the intricate network of World Englishes. 4. Phonological Features: This chapter delves into the distinctive phonological features of Indian English, comparing and contrasting it to Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP) and other varieties. It explores variations in speech rhythm and stress, and examines significant differences in consonant and vowel sounds, including the pronunciation of /r/, /t/, /d/, /θ/, /ð/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/, and /v/, and how these variations relate to the influence of local languages. This section provides specific phonetic examples to illustrate the variations and their implications for intelligibility.Keywords
Indian English, World Englishes, Postcolonial English, Phonology, Sociolinguistics, Language Contact, Language Variation, Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP), Official Language, Demography, Code-switching.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Indian English
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Indian English, encompassing its historical context, sociolinguistic aspects, and phonological characteristics. It aims to analyze Indian English within established models of English language variation, ultimately offering a structured and professional understanding of this significant linguistic variety.
What topics are covered in this language preview?
The preview covers a range of topics, including: an introduction to Indian English; basic demographic and official information; models of English language variation applied to Indian English (such as McArthur's Wheel, Kachru's Circles, and Schneider's Dynamic models); a detailed examination of the phonological features of Indian English, comparing it to Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP); and a conclusion summarizing the key findings.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes revolve around the historical context and current status of Indian English, its official status and domains of use, its representation within various models of English language variation, its distinctive phonological features, and the sociolinguistic implications of its usage.
What are the main phonological features of Indian English discussed?
The document explores variations in speech rhythm and stress, and examines key differences in consonant and vowel sounds, including the pronunciation of /r/, /t/, /d/, /θ/, /ð/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/, and /v/. Specific phonetic examples are provided to illustrate these variations.
How does the document classify Indian English within models of World Englishes?
The document analyzes Indian English through the lenses of McArthur's Wheel model, Kachru's Circles model, and Schneider's Dynamic model. This allows for a contextualized understanding of Indian English's position and role within the broader landscape of World Englishes.
What is the significance of Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP)?
SIEP serves as a comparative benchmark against which the document analyzes the variations and unique phonological features of Indian English. The differences between SIEP and other local varieties of Indian English are highlighted.
What is the role of Indian English in India?
The document discusses Indian English's official status, its widespread use in various sectors (administration, education, media, commerce), and its role in uniting diverse populations across the country despite the existence of numerous regional languages.
What are the keywords associated with this study of Indian English?
Keywords include: Indian English, World Englishes, Postcolonial English, Phonology, Sociolinguistics, Language Contact, Language Variation, Standard Indian English Pronunciation (SIEP), Official Language, Demography, and Code-switching.
What is the overall conclusion of the document?
The document concludes by summarizing the key findings regarding the unique characteristics of Indian English, emphasizing its significance as a major variety of English in a global context and its complex relationship to other varieties and models of English language variation.
What is the target audience for this document?
While not explicitly stated, the document’s structured and academic approach suggests it is intended for an academic audience interested in linguistics, sociolinguistics, and World Englishes, particularly those focusing on the study of Indian English.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Welker (Author), 2014, Dialect Illustration of Indian English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/293216
