John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 8. The question of structural nativization in Namibian English
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Sarah Buschfeld
Abstract
The question of whether the English as spoken in Namibia can be considered a (second-language) variety or should rather be considered a learner English was first addressed in Buschfeld and Kautzsch (2014). The present study approaches this question from a quantitative perspective, focusing on the use of progressive morphology (i.e., verb+ing) in Namibian English (NamE). The findings suggest that NamE is characterized by local and innovative, extended uses of progressive marking. I discuss whether these can be considered nativized features and conclude that this is a complex question in which a variety of factors have to be considered, most importantly the fact that NamE is not a monolithic whole but stratified along the lines of speakers’ ages and ethnicities.
Abstract
The question of whether the English as spoken in Namibia can be considered a (second-language) variety or should rather be considered a learner English was first addressed in Buschfeld and Kautzsch (2014). The present study approaches this question from a quantitative perspective, focusing on the use of progressive morphology (i.e., verb+ing) in Namibian English (NamE). The findings suggest that NamE is characterized by local and innovative, extended uses of progressive marking. I discuss whether these can be considered nativized features and conclude that this is a complex question in which a variety of factors have to be considered, most importantly the fact that NamE is not a monolithic whole but stratified along the lines of speakers’ ages and ethnicities.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Chapter 1. The dynamics of English in Namibia 1
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Part I. Setting the scene
- Chapter 2. English in Namibia 21
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Part II. Communicative practices
- Chapter 3. Voices from the post-independence classroom 45
- Chapter 4. English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare 63
- Chapter 5. The linguistic landscape and soundscape of Windhoek 83
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Part III. Linguistic features
- Chapter 6. The phonetics of Namibian English 111
- Chapter 7. Broadcasting your variety 135
- Chapter 8. The question of structural nativization in Namibian English 169
- Chapter 9. A variational pragmatic approach to responses to thanks in Namibian English 195
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Part IV. Literary creativity in Namibian English
- Chapter 10. Namibian literature in English 219
- Chapter 11. A land in transition 241
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Part V. Namibian English and beyond
- Chapter 12. The dynamics of English in Namibia 275
- Index 299
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- Chapter 1. The dynamics of English in Namibia 1
-
Part I. Setting the scene
- Chapter 2. English in Namibia 21
-
Part II. Communicative practices
- Chapter 3. Voices from the post-independence classroom 45
- Chapter 4. English and multilingual repertoires in healthcare 63
- Chapter 5. The linguistic landscape and soundscape of Windhoek 83
-
Part III. Linguistic features
- Chapter 6. The phonetics of Namibian English 111
- Chapter 7. Broadcasting your variety 135
- Chapter 8. The question of structural nativization in Namibian English 169
- Chapter 9. A variational pragmatic approach to responses to thanks in Namibian English 195
-
Part IV. Literary creativity in Namibian English
- Chapter 10. Namibian literature in English 219
- Chapter 11. A land in transition 241
-
Part V. Namibian English and beyond
- Chapter 12. The dynamics of English in Namibia 275
- Index 299
