230527 Dialect Birth and Dialect Divergence (S) (WiSe 2026/2027)

English today is extremely diverse - someone from Los Angeles will sound different (and use different words) than someone from Chicago, and both will be different from someone from Birmingham, Lagos, or Manila. This is obviously well-known.

However, how a new dialect of English comes to exist is a much more difficult question. Does it only happen with long-term separation, or also when contact between varieties exists? How long does it take? How can we research this?

This class will aim to discuss - if not necessarily conclusively answer - these questions. We will cover the birth of new varieties (or divergence from existing varieties) of English in the UK, New Zealand, on remote islands, and in colonial scenarios; in settings with high contact between varieties and settings with virtually no contact with the outside world.

Requirements for participation, required level

Students in any BA programme are required to have completed Basis1 (by passing the language proficiency test). I also strongly recommend that you have completed Basis3 – especially the introductory lectures, but having complete the Basis3.3 research project will be quite helpful. This class will involve reading research studies, so being familiar with the genre - e.g. from Basis3.3 - is an advantage.

If you are in the M. Ed., these requirements are not relevant for you.

Bibliography

Readings will be made available on moodle.