Edited by Anne Schröder
[Varieties of English Around the World G65] 2021
► pp. 169–194
Chapter 8The question of structural nativization in Namibian
English
Some answers from extended uses of the progressive
The question of whether the English as spoken in Namibia can be considered a (second-language) variety or should rather be considered a learner English was first addressed in Buschfeld and Kautzsch (2014). The present study approaches this question from a quantitative perspective, focusing on the use of progressive morphology (i.e., verb+ing) in Namibian English (NamE). The findings suggest that NamE is characterized by local and innovative, extended uses of progressive marking. I discuss whether these can be considered nativized features and conclude that this is a complex question in which a variety of factors have to be considered, most importantly the fact that NamE is not a monolithic whole but stratified along the lines of speakers’ ages and ethnicities.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Contextualizing the progressive: Diachronic and synchronic perspectives
- 3.Progressive marking and the question of structural nativization
in Namibian English(es)
- 3.1Some remarks on structural nativization
- 3.2Data collection and participants
- 3.3Data analysis
- 3.4Results
- 4.Discussion of results
- 5.Conclusion: Structural nativization in NamE?
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Acknowledgements -
Notes -
References
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g65.08bus