John Benjamins Publishing Company
New Englishes and Conversation Analysis
Abstract
This study assesses the potential of using conversation analytic methodology to investigate syntactic variation in New Englishes. It analyses transcripts and audio files of face-to-face interactions between speakers of Caribbean and Southeast Asian Englishes and illustrates how syntax provides essential clues allowing interactants to project upcoming places of speaker change. Current speakers might adapt their turns underway to avoid transition to a next speaker, but speaker groups differ when it comes to which syntactic constructions they prefer in this context. As these interactional preferences seem to correlate with linguistic preferences (such as a high frequency of topicalization), the present study suggests that they constitute a case of emergent grammar, and hence should be considered a factor in investigating syntactic variation.
Abstract
This study assesses the potential of using conversation analytic methodology to investigate syntactic variation in New Englishes. It analyses transcripts and audio files of face-to-face interactions between speakers of Caribbean and Southeast Asian Englishes and illustrates how syntax provides essential clues allowing interactants to project upcoming places of speaker change. Current speakers might adapt their turns underway to avoid transition to a next speaker, but speaker groups differ when it comes to which syntactic constructions they prefer in this context. As these interactional preferences seem to correlate with linguistic preferences (such as a high frequency of topicalization), the present study suggests that they constitute a case of emergent grammar, and hence should be considered a factor in investigating syntactic variation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- New Englishes new methods 1
-
Part I. Corpora
- Verbal past inflection in Nigerian English 16
- Functions of code-switching in online registers of Pakistani English 42
- New Englishes and Conversation Analysis 65
- Creole and power 84
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Part II. Phonetics and phonology
- Question intonation patterns in Nigerian English 108
- Analysing the speech rhythm of New Englishes 132
-
Part III. Language attitudes
- Acceptability Judgement Tasks in New Englishes research 158
- Mixed methods in the mapping of accent perceptions in Indian varieties of English 178
- Mapping perceptions in New Englishes 201
-
Part IV. Ethnography
- Understanding, collecting, and presenting data in New Englishes research 222
- Complicating the field 243
- Conclusion 263
- Index 275
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- New Englishes new methods 1
-
Part I. Corpora
- Verbal past inflection in Nigerian English 16
- Functions of code-switching in online registers of Pakistani English 42
- New Englishes and Conversation Analysis 65
- Creole and power 84
-
Part II. Phonetics and phonology
- Question intonation patterns in Nigerian English 108
- Analysing the speech rhythm of New Englishes 132
-
Part III. Language attitudes
- Acceptability Judgement Tasks in New Englishes research 158
- Mixed methods in the mapping of accent perceptions in Indian varieties of English 178
- Mapping perceptions in New Englishes 201
-
Part IV. Ethnography
- Understanding, collecting, and presenting data in New Englishes research 222
- Complicating the field 243
- Conclusion 263
- Index 275
