New Zealand English, 5 cr

New Zealand English is one of the world’s youngest varieties of English, with the dialect-formation processes having taken place in the period 1840-1880, when the population was rapidly growing. On this course we discuss the origins and development of NZE, looking at theories of new dialect formation and the development of postcolonial Englishes in general, and get to know the defining characteristics of modern NZE at the levels of pronunciation, lexis, and grammar. We compare NZE to its closest relative, Australian English, and the parent variety, British English, with additional reference to the other main varieties of English. We also learn about the general cultural background of New Zealand, to give a more complete picture of the place, the people, and the dialect. The student is assessed on the basis of a final essay, an oral presentation, and class participation.