The evolutionary dynamics of postcolonial Englishes

A Hong Kong case study

Bibliographic Data

ID3623712
AuthorsStephen Evans (0000-0001-5626-7079, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume18
Issue5
Pages571-603
Publication date2014-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Sociolinguistics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1360-6441 • E-ISSN: 1467-9841
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josl.12104
OpenAlexW2028694735
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited37

Schneider's () ground-breaking Dynamic Model is widely regarded as the most comprehensive and coherent theory to account for the evolution of postcolonial Englishes, but has yet to be validated by evidence from detailed historical research. This article seeks to bridge this gap by presenting an empirically-grounded case study of the evolution of Hong Kong English based on the four parameters in Schneider's () framework, viz. sociopolitical background, identity constructions, sociolinguistic conditions, and linguistic effects. Whereas previous applications of the framework have relied on synchronic data, this study draws on sets of primary data spanning 170 years. These diachronic datasets make it possible to demarcate distinct phases in the use of English in society and the evolution of its community of users. The study casts doubt on the accuracy of Schneider's account of the evolution of Hong Kong English and, more generally, the applicability of the Dynamic Model to Outer Circle contexts

Aesthetics · Bridge (graph theory · Dynamics (music · Epistemology · Identity (music · Indian English · Linguistics · Sociology · World Englishes · History · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · Phonetics and Phonology Research

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