1st Edition

Varieties of Modern English An Introduction

By Diane Davies Copyright 2005
    184 Pages
    by Routledge

    184 Pages
    by Routledge

    The 'story' of English is continually re-told and re-written, as more and more people use the language and have a part in shaping the way it develops.

    Varieties of Modern English provides a critical introduction to the study of regional, social, gendered, context- and medium-related varieties of the language, and explores some of the debates concerning the role and impact of English in different parts of the world today.

    Beginning by outlining the main types of variation in language, the book focuses on the link between language or dialect and the construction of both group and individual identities. Issues of identity are crucial to chapters on the roots of Modern English, on gender and English, on ethnicity and English and on English as an international language. As well as looking at a range of 'users' of the language, Davies also explores many of its 'uses' and modes, including the English of literary texts, advertising, newspaper reporting and commentary, political speeches, email and text messaging.

    Written in a discursive, student-friendly style, the book also provides:

    * A rich mix of illustrative material

    * End-of-chapter Activities and related Comments at the end of the book

    * Suggestions for further reading

    Varieties of Modern English provides a thought-provoking overview of its subject and will be invaluable reading for students of English Language and Linguistics.

     

    1. Setting Out
    2. Studying Varieties
    3. The March of Modern English
    4. English as a Global Perspective
    5. Ethnicity and Varieties of English
    6. Gender, Sexuality and English
    7. Speech, Writing and New Media
    8. English in Context
    9. English and Power
    10. The Future of English as an International Language

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Diane Davies is a Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL in the School of Education at the University of Leicester