On the Development of the English Language in India

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2012 , 9 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

“Indian English” is an umbrella term which is used to describe all dialects of the English language that are spoken in the Republic of India. But “Indian English” is not a native language.
Like other variations of the English language, “Indian English” is the result of language contact, which contributed to the development of the present-day “Indian English” due to the mixture of the linguistic aspects and different social backgrounds.

To describe how the development of this language variation occurred, section 2 dwells on the history of “Indian English” and the usage and cultural aspects by expanding on its functions. Its grammatical form is particularly illustrated in section 3, which deals with the most important linguistic features of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The issues contributing the development of “Indian English” are revisited in the conclusion.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Development of "Indian English"
  • History
  • Usage and cultural aspects
• Linguistic aspects and their development
  • Phonology
  • Morphology
  • Syntax
  • Semantics
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This seminar paper explores the development of "Indian English," examining its history, usage, cultural impact, and linguistic features. It aims to understand how the language evolved through contact between English and Indian languages, resulting in unique variations. The paper focuses on the interaction between language and society, highlighting the influence of colonization and the role of English in various spheres of Indian life.

• The historical development of "Indian English" through language contact and colonization.
• The role of English in Indian society, including its usage in education, administration, law, and media.
• The linguistic features of "Indian English," including phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic variations.
• The impact of "Indian English" on Indian culture and identity.
• The influence of Indian languages on the development of "Indian English."

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of "Indian English" as an umbrella term for English dialects spoken in India, emphasizing its origins in language contact and the diverse sociolinguistic backgrounds of its speakers. The paper then delves into the history of "Indian English," tracing its development from early British colonization to the establishment of English as an official language in India. This section examines the role of education policy and the influence of English missionaries in shaping the language's trajectory. The chapter on usage and cultural aspects explores the prominent role of English in various domains of Indian society, including education, administration, law, media, and the arts. It highlights the influence of English on Indian culture, particularly in film, theatre, and literature.

The third chapter focuses on the linguistic features of "Indian English," examining its phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. It compares "Indian English" pronunciation to Received Pronunciation (RP), highlighting key differences in aspiration, fricative sounds, and vowel usage. This chapter provides insights into the unique linguistic characteristics that distinguish "Indian English" from other varieties of English.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This seminar paper focuses on "Indian English," its development through language contact, and its role in Indian society. Key themes include language variation, colonization, education policy, sociolinguistics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and the cultural impact of English in India.

• College: Free University of Berlin (Institut für Englische Philologie)
• Course: Historical Linguistics – History of English
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Agnetha Hinz (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 9
• Catalog Number: V302890
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668012639
• ISBN (Book): 9783668012646
• Language: English
• Tags: Indian English, Language contact, Linguistic development