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Part of
The Evolution of Englishes: The Dynamic Model and beyond
Edited by Sarah Buschfeld, Thomas Hoffmann, Magnus Huber and Alexander Kautzsch
[Varieties of English Around the World G49] 2014
► pp. 39–57

The identity issue in bi- and multilingual repertoires in South Africa

Implications for Schneider’s Dynamic Model

Identity construction drives the development of postcolonial Englishes in Schneider’s Dynamic Model. Contexts like those of South Africa where widespread bi- and multilingualism are observed challenge notions of English as sole “identity carrier” postulated in the model. Findings from a questionnaire and interview study reported in this article indicate that: (a) urban participants are bi- and multilingual, (b) the home language is the carrier of ethnic or cultural identity, (c) English is part of the repertoires of the participants, (d) “being multilingual” is the linguistic marker of a South African identity. The refinement of the identity construction in this very useful model indicates that South Africa will probably not progress conclusively past Stage 3 in the Dynamic Model in the near future.

Keywords: bilingualism, Dynamic Model, identity, multilingualism, South Africa
Published online: 12 September 2014
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g49.03coe
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