Globalization, postcolonial Englishes, and the English language press in Kenya, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago. Issue 3 (19th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: CANAN HÄNSEL, EVA; DEUBER, DAGMAR; PANDHARIPANDE, RAJESHWARI; DAVIS, DANIEL R.
• Is Part Of: World Englishes. Volume 32:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2013-08-19
• Subjects: English language -- Foreign countries -- Periodicals; English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- Periodicals; English language -- Variation -- Periodicals; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; 428.2407
• DOI: 10.1111/weng.12035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-2919

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>This paper analyzes online English‐language newspapers from the former British colonies of Kenya, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago with respect to Americanisms in spelling and vocabulary. The guiding question is whether the degree of Americanization can be related to the different degrees to which these countries participate in globalization. It is shown that the influence of American English is least pronounced in Kenya and most in Trinidad and Tobago, with Singapore in between, and that globalization is indeed a factor, but that other factors including official language attitudes play a role as well. The role of international news agencies in disseminating Americanisms is also considered and is found to be prominent mainly in the case of Singapore.</p> </abstract>