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Chapter 4. Brunei English

  • James McLellan and Noor Azam Haji-Othman
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English in Southeast Asia
This chapter is in the book English in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This chapter offers a partial synchronic description of some features of Brunei English. This variety can be distinguished from closely-related Englishes in neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines through the study of the linguistic ecosystem that prevails in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The distinctiveness of the major in-group code choice of Bruneians, Brunei Malay, from other Malay varieties, is especially salient. Discussion of phonological features draws on recent work by Salbrina Haji Sharbawi (2006, 2009), and on earlier studies by Mossop (1996a, 1996b). The description of the syntax and morphology of Brunei English refers to the work of Cane (1994, 1996), whilst lexical and discoursal features are discussed with reference to work done separately and collaboratively by the authors.

Abstract

This chapter offers a partial synchronic description of some features of Brunei English. This variety can be distinguished from closely-related Englishes in neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines through the study of the linguistic ecosystem that prevails in Negara Brunei Darussalam. The distinctiveness of the major in-group code choice of Bruneians, Brunei Malay, from other Malay varieties, is especially salient. Discussion of phonological features draws on recent work by Salbrina Haji Sharbawi (2006, 2009), and on earlier studies by Mossop (1996a, 1996b). The description of the syntax and morphology of Brunei English refers to the work of Cane (1994, 1996), whilst lexical and discoursal features are discussed with reference to work done separately and collaboratively by the authors.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Abbreviations xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 1. Theoretical issues 13
  7. Part I. Features
  8. Chapter 2. Singapore English 35
  9. Chapter 3. Malaysian English 55
  10. Chapter 4. Brunei English 75
  11. Chapter 5. Philippine English 91
  12. Chapter 6. Thai English 101
  13. Chapter 7. Hong Kong English 113
  14. Part II. Policy (Historical context & language planning)
  15. Chapter 8. The development of English in Singapore 137
  16. Chapter 9. Pragmatics of maintaining English in Malaysia’s education system 155
  17. Chapter 10. Language planning in its historical context in Brunei Darussalam 175
  18. Chapter 11. Diffusion and directions 189
  19. Chapter 12. The effect of policy on English language teaching at secondary schools in Thailand 207
  20. Chapter 13. Language policy and planning in Hong Kong 221
  21. Part III. Language in use
  22. Chapter 14. English in Southeast Asian law 241
  23. Chapter 15. The view from below 267
  24. Chapter 16. Curriculum and world Englishes 289
  25. Chapter 17. English in Southeast Asian pop culture 307
  26. Chapter 18. Language use in the construction of interpersonal relationships 325
  27. Chapter 19. Transfers of politeness strategies 343
  28. Part IV. Bibliography
  29. Chapter 20. Works on English in Southeast Asia 357
  30. Author index 383
  31. Subject index 389
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g42.08mcl

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Abbreviations xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 1. Theoretical issues 13
  7. Part I. Features
  8. Chapter 2. Singapore English 35
  9. Chapter 3. Malaysian English 55
  10. Chapter 4. Brunei English 75
  11. Chapter 5. Philippine English 91
  12. Chapter 6. Thai English 101
  13. Chapter 7. Hong Kong English 113
  14. Part II. Policy (Historical context & language planning)
  15. Chapter 8. The development of English in Singapore 137
  16. Chapter 9. Pragmatics of maintaining English in Malaysia’s education system 155
  17. Chapter 10. Language planning in its historical context in Brunei Darussalam 175
  18. Chapter 11. Diffusion and directions 189
  19. Chapter 12. The effect of policy on English language teaching at secondary schools in Thailand 207
  20. Chapter 13. Language policy and planning in Hong Kong 221
  21. Part III. Language in use
  22. Chapter 14. English in Southeast Asian law 241
  23. Chapter 15. The view from below 267
  24. Chapter 16. Curriculum and world Englishes 289
  25. Chapter 17. English in Southeast Asian pop culture 307
  26. Chapter 18. Language use in the construction of interpersonal relationships 325
  27. Chapter 19. Transfers of politeness strategies 343
  28. Part IV. Bibliography
  29. Chapter 20. Works on English in Southeast Asia 357
  30. Author index 383
  31. Subject index 389
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