Course description

This course provides an overview of the varieties and uses of English in the world today. The course examines the grammatical properties (i.e., phonological, morphological, lexical, syntactic and semantic) as well as the way in which English language is used in different societies.

The course focuses on the similarities and differences between the major varieties of the English language (i.e., Australian, British, Canadian, American, New Zealand, Australian, South African). It also examines the role English plays worldwide. This includes the role of English as an international language, the roles of American and British English, the development of both new varieties of English (i.e., Singaporean English, Hong Kong English, Indian English, West African English) and English-based pidgins and creoles.

Course convenor

Professor Miriam Meyerhoff