Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract/Objectives
This course explores the ongoing change in contact varieties, with a focus on Singapore English (Singlish) as a case study. We will examine the linguistic features, historical development, and evolution of Singlish in a multilingual environment, considering the social, cultural, and linguistic factors influencing its change. Course objectives include: Understanding mechanisms of change in contact languages, particularly in dynamic multilingual settings. Analyzing the linguistic characteristics of Singlish, including grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics. Exploring social attitudes and policies that shape the development and status of Singlish. This course is ideal for learners interested in language contact, sociolinguistics, and Asian English varieties, offering insights into how languages continuously evolve in contact environments.
Results/Contributions

This course provides students with a deeper understanding of ongoing change in contact varieties, using Singapore English (Singlish) as a case study to examine its linguistic features, historical development, and mechanisms of change. Through course materials and discussions, students achieve the following learning outcomes:


Grasp theoretical foundations of language contact and change, understanding how languages influence each other and develop new varieties in multilingual settings.

Analyze the grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic features of Singlish, distinguishing it from Standard English.

Evaluate the impact of social attitudes and policies on the development of Singlish, understanding how language norms and regulations shape usage.

Develop critical thinking skills to analyze language change in other contact varieties from a sociolinguistic perspective.  By completing this course, students gain not only a deeper knowledge of Singlish but also a broader understanding of the ongoing evolution of contact languages, providing a strong foundation for further research or application.


Keywords
Singlish, culture, language
Contact Information
外國語文學系秘書洪沁玲
qlhong@mx.nthu.edu.tw