Participants will gain an overview of Englishes worldwide and will be able to rely on theoretical concepts to understand the diversity in the Englishes-speaking world. In addition, the class will provide opportunities for critically reflecting upon and discussing the spread of English in the world. It is a further aim of the seminar to engage participants in language analysis that is particularly targeted towards detecting contact-induced features and common patterns of variation in different Englishes.

-Discussion, reading, lecture, tasks,presentations

This seminar investigates the plurality of Englishes in the world. We will take a look at how different varieties of English have developed due to the worldwide spread of the English language. A discussion of different models will help to understand the diversity of Englishes on a global scale and its uses as an international language. A substantial part of the seminar will be devoted to your own research into the world of Englishes, in line with your interests (e.g. Maori English, Nigerian Pidgin English, Irish English, Maltese English, the influence of English on languages in Europe, English as an institutional language, English as a global language of popular culture, etc.).

-completed Introduction to Linguistics (I, II)-at least two completed Proseminars in Linguistics

-see BA curriculum (§ 13)

-A guide to relevant literature will be discussed in the first sessions-Some readings and other class material will be made available on Moodle

-Participation in class-Presentation of research topic in class-Seminar paper

-Research topics in the area of World Englishes

-Oral presentation (20%)-Seminar paper (60%)-Participation in class (20%)