English in Africa has a considerable history stretching back to the trade stations which the British entertained in West Africa since the 16th century and which they used for the slave trade with the New World. Later on (as of the late 18th century) the English language was taken to South Africa and still later the British established colonies along the east African coast. This historical development has led to three anglophone areas of Africa - west, south and east - each of which has their special features due to the interaction with native languages (in the west and east) or to the interaction of both native languages and a further colonial language (Dutch in South Africa). This seminar will look at different varieties of English throughout the continent and will examine special linguistic situations, such as that of pidgins and creoles in West Africa or of Asian emigrants, or of new forms of black english (both in South Africa). Literature Bamgbose, Ayo, Ayo Banjo and Thomas Andrew (eds) 1995. New Englishes. A West-African perspective. Ibadan: Mosuro/The British Council. De Klerk, Vivian 1996. Focus on South Africa. Varieties of English Around the World, General Series, Vol. 15 Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Huber, Magnus 1999. Ghanaian Pidgin English in its West African context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Mesthrie, Rajend (ed.) 2002. Language in South Africa. Cambridge: University Press. Platt, John, Heidi Weber and M.L.Ho 1984. The new Englishes. London: Routledge. Schmied, Josef 1991. English in Africa. An introduction. London: Longman. Spencer, John (ed.) 1971. The English language in West Africa. London: Longman. Website to be consulted by students: Studying Varieties of English |
