During the last decades the use of English around the world became increasingly widespread. Therefore it is an important means of communication not only between speakers of different native languages as a lingua franca but also as a significant feature for selfidentification since there are so many varieties of English with distinctive linguistic as well as pragmatic features. The far-reaching influence and use of English throughout the world dates back to the colonisation centuries ago. There are various varieties of English spoken by a large percentage of people, whereas Crystal states that about one-third of the world’s population “are in theory routinely exposed to English” (quoted in Kandiah 1998: 1). Colonisation and the building of the British Empire brought English to distant places all over the world, where different forms of English began to emerge, whereas the most recent development of a so-called “global village” contributes to the rise of new varieties of English. There are several attempts to classify the different varieties of English with different frameworks. The most prominent classification is the idea of three concentric circles, which was first proposed by Kachru in 1985. This theory suggests an inner circle, where English “is the primary language [and] dominated by the ‘mother tongue’ varieties of the language” (quoted in Kandiah 1998: 6). This circle includes the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The outer or extended circle is described by Kachru as the countries where English is “an additional language” and represents “the earlier phases of the spread of English and its institutionalization in non-native contexts” (quoted in Kandiah 1998: 6). Therefore regions like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Philippines are named in this circle. The last circle is called the expanding circle, whose varieties of English are considered as “performance varieties”, i.e. “the rest of the world where English is used as a primary foreign language” (quoted in Kandiah 1998: 7). However, this framework for classification lacks the ability to cover all existent varieties of English, most important the English-based pidgins and creoles. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Language varieties
2.1 Pidgins / Creoles
2.2 Indigenised varieties
2.3 National dialects
3. Linguistic features of Aboriginal English
3.1 Pronunciation
3.2 Grammar
3.3 Vocabulary
4. Pragmatics and sociolinguistic issues
4.1 Pragmatics
4.2 Aboriginal English in the law
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper aims to define and categorize Aboriginal English as a distinct dialect rather than a broken version of Standard Australian English, while examining its unique linguistic and pragmatic features and the resulting challenges in the Australian legal system.
- Classification of language varieties and the status of Aboriginal English.
- Linguistic analysis covering pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
- Pragmatic features and cultural communication patterns.
- Sociolinguistic challenges and miscommunication in legal settings.
- The importance of recognizing distinct dialects for social and legal equity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Pronunciation
Since Aboriginal English is not a uniform dialect all over the country, and due to the continuum from heavy to light varieties, not all linguistic features can be found in every variety of the dialect. In addition only the most prominent features should be given as detailed examples. Due to the fact that traditional Aboriginal languages have no h sound a salient marker for Aboriginal English is the dropping of word initial h. This feature can also be found in some other non-standard dialects of English and must not be mistaken for wrong or uneducated pronunciation. It is also often accompanied by the attempt to overcompensate for the omission of h by adding a word initial h sound to Standard English words beginning with a vowel. Another prominent phonological feature is the change of the consonants f, v and th into p, b and t or d. This also stems from the lack or the rareness of these consonants in traditional languages of Aboriginal people and can cause confusion when the context is not clear. The Aboriginal English example We ‘ad a bight, which in Standard Australian English means We had a fight, could easily be mistaken for We had a bite when the hearer is not sure about the context (Eades 1993: 3).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the global spread of English and evaluates existing classification frameworks like Kachru’s concentric circles to assess their applicability to diverse language varieties.
2. Language varieties: This section defines terms such as pidgins, creoles, and indigenized varieties to better contextualize the development and nature of Aboriginal English.
3. Linguistic features of Aboriginal English: This chapter details the distinct phonological, grammatical, and lexical markers that characterize Aboriginal English as a systematic dialect.
4. Pragmatics and sociolinguistic issues: This chapter examines how distinct Aboriginal communicative styles and socio-cultural worldviews lead to misinterpretation and disadvantage within official settings like courts.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes findings, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Aboriginal English to ensure fair treatment and cross-cultural understanding in Australian society.
Keywords
Aboriginal English, Standard Australian English, Dialect, Language Contact, Pidgin, Creole, Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics, Cross-cultural communication, Legal system, Miscommunication, Linguistic diversity, Cultural identity, Gratuitous concurrence, Language transmission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines Aboriginal English as a distinct, systematic dialect of English, distinct from Standard Australian English, and analyzes its linguistic and pragmatic characteristics.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include language classification, the linguistic evolution of Aboriginal English, unique communicative strategies, and the impact of these factors on legal proceedings.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to provide an analytical framework that helps identify Aboriginal English correctly, moving away from outdated views that perceive it merely as "broken" or "uneducated" English.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a sociolinguistic and descriptive approach, citing established linguistic research and handbooks to contrast Aboriginal English with Standard English and other varieties.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers language classification theories, specific phonological/grammatical/lexical features, pragmatic differences like silence and eye contact, and their consequences in the Australian legal system.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Aboriginal English, dialect, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, cross-cultural communication, and legal settings.
How does "gratuitous concurrence" affect communication?
It involves agreeing with authority figures to keep interactions smooth, which can lead to misinterpretations in legal settings where lawyers might mistake this compliance for a statement of truth or confusion.
Why is direct eye contact avoided in Aboriginal culture?
Unlike Western culture, where eye contact signals confidence, it is often viewed as a sign of disrespect, aggression, or rudeness in Aboriginal culture, especially during official or formal interactions.
How does Aboriginal English differ from Kriol?
While both are influenced by contact, Aboriginal English is a dialect of English that developed through complex processes of depidginization and Aboriginalization, whereas Kriol is an English-based creole.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2006, Aboriginal English - a dialect of English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/65157
