Sven Leuckert - Böcker

Shortlisted for the 2020 ESSE Book Award in English Language and LinguisticsThis monograph is the first comprehensive study of topicalization in Asian second-language varieties of English and provides an in-depth analysis of the forms, functions, and frequencies of topicalization in four Asian Englishes. Topicalization, that is, the sentence-initial placement of constituents other than the subject, has been found to occur frequently in the English spoken by many Asians, but so far the possible reasons for this have never been scrutinized. This book closes this research gap by taking into account the structures of the major contact languages, the roles of second-language acquisition and politeness as well as other factors in order to explain why topicalization is highly frequent in some varieties such as Indian English and much less frequent in other varieties such as Hong Kong English. In addition to exploring major and minor forces involved in explaining the frequency of topicalization, the forms and functions of the feature are assessed. Central questions addressed in this regard are the following: Which syntactic constituents tend to be topicalized the most and the least frequently? Which discourse effects does topicalization achieve? How can we approach topicalization methodologically? And, lastly, which influence do language processing and production have on topicalization?

English fulfils important intra- and international functions in 21st century India. However, the country's size in terms of area, population, and linguistic diversity means that completely uniform developments in Indian English (IndE) are unlikely. Using sophisticated corpus-linguistic and statistical methods, this Element explores the unity and diversity of IndE by providing studies of selected lexical and morphosyntactic features that characterise Indian English(es) in the 21st century. The findings indicate a degree of incipient 'supralocalisation', i.e. a spread of features beyond their place of origin, cutting through the typological Indo-Aryan vs. Dravidian divide.

English fulfils important intra- and international functions in 21st century India. However, the country's size in terms of area, population, and linguistic diversity means that completely uniform developments in Indian English (IndE) are unlikely. Using sophisticated corpus-linguistic and statistical methods, this Element explores the unity and diversity of IndE by providing studies of selected lexical and morphosyntactic features that characterise Indian English(es) in the 21st century. The findings indicate a degree of incipient 'supralocalisation', i.e. a spread of features beyond their place of origin, cutting through the typological Indo-Aryan vs. Dravidian divide.

Under the umbrella of evolving Englishes, this edited volume marries studies into the history of the English language with research traditionally rooted in the World Englishes paradigm.Insights into patterns of regional variation are offered with regard to linguistic features that have hitherto primarily been investigated in a small set of first-language varieties, but descriptions of varieties in the Kachruvian Outer Circle are also enhanced through noteworthy historical perspectives. Methodologically, each contribution works on strictly empirical grounds, regularly producing insights based on only recently compiled corpora of first- and/or second-language varieties of English. This approach brings to the fore novel functional and structural features of understudied varieties, such as the Englishes in Namibia and Sint Maarten, but also of varieties with more established research traditions in Asia and of functional varieties of English. In order to unveil said varietal features, novel analytical approaches, including the study of cultural scripts or refinements of tree-based modelling techniques, are embraced.In the light of said conceptual and methodological contributions, this edited volume is an attractive read for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, and academics in the fields of World Englishes, historical linguistics, corpus linguistics, and sociolinguistics. It will also be of interest to researchers in related disciplines, including cultural studies.

The term non-canonical syntax generally refers to deviations from 'typical' word order. These represent a fascinating phenomenon in natural language use. With contributions from a team of renowned scholars, this book presents a range of case-studies on non-canonical syntax across historical, register-based, and non-native varieties of English. Each chapter investigates a different non-canonical construction and assesses to what extent it can be called 'non-canonical' in a theory-based and frequency-based understanding of non-canonical syntax. A range of state-of-the-art methodologies are used, highlighting that an empirical approach to non-canonical syntactic constructions is particularly fruitful. An introduction, a synopsis, a terminological chapter, and three section introductions frame the case studies and present overviews of the theory behind non-canonical syntax and previous work, while also illustrating open questions and opportunities for future research. The volume is essential reading for advanced students of English grammar and researchers working on non-canonical syntax and syntactic variation. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Shortlisted for the 2020 ESSE Book Award in English Language and LinguisticsThis monograph is the first comprehensive study of topicalization in Asian second-language varieties of English and provides an in-depth analysis of the forms, functions, and frequencies of topicalization in four Asian Englishes. Topicalization, that is, the sentence-initial placement of constituents other than the subject, has been found to occur frequently in the English spoken by many Asians, but so far the possible reasons for this have never been scrutinized. This book closes this research gap by taking into account the structures of the major contact languages, the roles of second-language acquisition and politeness as well as other factors in order to explain why topicalization is highly frequent in some varieties such as Indian English and much less frequent in other varieties such as Hong Kong English. In addition to exploring major and minor forces involved in explaining the frequency of topicalization, the forms and functions of the feature are assessed. Central questions addressed in this regard are the following: Which syntactic constituents tend to be topicalized the most and the least frequently? Which discourse effects does topicalization achieve? How can we approach topicalization methodologically? And, lastly, which influence do language processing and production have on topicalization?

Corpus Linguistics for World Englishes offers a detailed account of how to analyse the many fascinating varieties of English around the world using corpus-linguistic methods. Employing case studies for illustration of relevant concepts and methods throughout, this book:introduces the theory and practice of analysing World Englishesillustrates the basics of corpus-linguistic methods and presents the vast World Englishes corporalinks World Englishes to Learner Englishes and English as a Lingua Francaoffers practical, hands-on exercises and questions for discussion in each chapterprovides helpful overviews and course syllabi for students and instructors.Corpus Linguistics for World Englishes is key reading for advanced students of English as a World Language and Corpus Linguistics, as well as anyone keen to understand variation in World Englishes with the help of corpus linguistics.

Corpus Linguistics for World Englishes offers a detailed account of how to analyse the many fascinating varieties of English around the world using corpus-linguistic methods. Employing case studies for illustration of relevant concepts and methods throughout, this book:introduces the theory and practice of analysing World Englishesillustrates the basics of corpus-linguistic methods and presents the vast World Englishes corporalinks World Englishes to Learner Englishes and English as a Lingua Francaoffers practical, hands-on exercises and questions for discussion in each chapterprovides helpful overviews and course syllabi for students and instructors.Corpus Linguistics for World Englishes is key reading for advanced students of English as a World Language and Corpus Linguistics, as well as anyone keen to understand variation in World Englishes with the help of corpus linguistics.

As social media keeps changing, so does the representation of World Englishes across the wide range of platforms available. This edited volume explores the different varieties of English on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube.Social media platforms showcase an ever-increasing diversity in languages and varieties of languages used on them. Divided into three parts, the book focuses in turn on language variation in digital contexts, identities and social meaning making, and metalinguistic commentary, and ends with a discussion chapter providing an overview of World Englishes and social media. Investigating these areas in detail, the book covers a wealth of topics, including ethical questions and research methodology, linguistic features and creativity, and meta-discourse. By offering up-to-date coverage of English use across different platforms, it provides an in-depth insight into the dynamic space of language variation online.

Twenty years after Edgar W. Schneider's publication of the Dynamic Model, the field of World Englishes is as vibrant as ever. The further spread and entrenchment of English around the world as a result of globalisation but also localisation tendencies and, in particular, the spread of the language and its multiple varieties through the new media, has led to even further dispersion and contact scenarios, many of which challenge early conceptualisations of the World Englishes paradigm. This volume is dedicated to new perspectives, approaches, and developments in the field, how they fit in with earlier research in the paradigm, how they can be conceptualised, and which challenges they bring along. In addition, the collection showcases some of the methodological diversity in and the transdisciplinary nature of modern World Englishes research.