Indian Englishes in the Twenty-First Century: Unity and Diversity in Lexicon and Morphosyntax

This Element explores the unity and diversity of Indian English (IndE) in the 21st century, using corpus-linguistic and statistical methods to study selected lexical and morphosyntactic features. It finds evidence of incipient supralocalisation, spreading features beyond their place of origin, cutting through the typological Indo-Aryan vs. Dravidian divide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

English plays a vital role in India's internal and external affairs in the 21st century. However, given India's vast geographical area, dense population, and diverse linguistic heritage, achieving complete uniformity in Indian English (IndE) is unlikely. This Element delves into the unity and diversity of IndE by employing advanced corpus-linguistic and statistical techniques to examine selected lexical and morphosyntactic features that define Indian English in the contemporary era. The findings suggest a gradual emergence of supralocalization, where features extend beyond their original locations, transcending the traditional typological distinction between Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages.

English fulfills important intra- and international functions in 21st century India. However, the country's size in terms of area, population, and linguistic diversity means that completely uniform developments in Indian English (IndE) are unlikely. Using sophisticated corpus-linguistic and statistical methods, this Element explores the unity and diversity of IndE by providing studies of selected lexical and morphosyntactic features that characterise Indian English(es) in the 21st century. The findings indicate a degree of incipient supralocalisation, i.e. a spread of features beyond their place of origin, cutting through the typological Indo-Aryan vs. Dravidian divide.

The findings suggest a gradual emergence of supralocalization, where features extend beyond their original locations, transcending the traditional typological distinction between Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages. This phenomenon indicates a complex interplay between language evolution, cultural influences, and social factors, shaping the unique linguistic landscape of India.

The findings suggest a gradual emergence of supralocalization, where features extend beyond their original locations, transcending the traditional typological distinction between Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages. This phenomenon indicates a complex interplay between language evolution, cultural influences, and social factors, shaping the unique linguistic landscape of India.

ISBN-13: 9781009323789