G61.3510: Seminar in Sociolinguistics:
Singapore English
Section 002
Prof. Vivienne Fong
Spring 2003
Mondays 2:00PM - 4:45PM
E-mail: vivienne.fong@nyu.edu
WWW: http://homepages.nyu.edu/~vf15
Course web-site: http://homepages.nyu.edu/~vf15/SingaporeEnglish.html
Course description
This seminar investigates Singapore English from two angles: (i) the position of English in the socio-political and cultural context of Singapore; and (ii) the structure of Colloquial Singapore English (CSE). The aim is to situate Singapore English in relation to other varieties of English. We first consider the issues of standards and norms, and how the status of English as a global language relates to questions of language conflict, identity, and linguistic rights in Singapore and other parts of the world. We then explore the scope of (cross-)linguistic variation by comparing the structure of CSE with other varieties of English, e.g. African American Vernacular English, Indian English, Vernacular Liberian English, and Standard English(es). Our goal is to investigate and explain linguistic variation in phonology, syntax, and semantics, in terms of both sociolinguistics and generative grammar, in particular Optimality Theory.
Prerequisites
This course is intended for students with a broad interest in theoretical linguistics. Ideally, you should have already taken G61.1510 Sociolinguistics, and one of the following: introductory Phonology, Syntax, or Semantics. If you are interested in this course but do not meet the prerequisites, please contact me.
Requirements
Weekly readings; leading a class discussion on at least one assigned reading; a term paper related to the subject matter of the course; presentation of work in progress (with handout) towards the end of the semester.
A tentative schedule of classes and reading list can be found at the course web-site: http://homepages.nyu.edu/~vf15/SingaporeEnglish.html
