English in South Asia: Past. Present, and Future (S Lange WiSe 2023/24)

English in India is firmly established as the country’s associate official language, as the official language of many regional states, and as the inter- and intranational link language for a speech community that massively outnumbers other ‘native’ speakers. This course will trace the development of English in India from its modest beginnings as one colonial traders’ language among many to its entrenchment across the whole of South Asia. We will also consider the shorter history of English in Sri Lanka; we will be concerned with colonial language policy, language conflicts relating to the role of English and English education in India and Sri Lanka past and present. We will further study in more detail the actual features of Indian and Sri Lankan English.

When: THU 4.DS

Where: W48/0001/U