English in Singapore: Modernity and Management (Asian Englishes Today)

English in Singapore provides an up-to-date, detailed and comprehensive investigation into the various issues surrounding the sociolinguistics of English in Singapore. Rather than attempting to cover the usual topics in an overview of a variety of English in a particular country, the essays in this volume are important for identifying some of the most significant issues pertaining to the state and status of English in Singapore in modern times, and for doing so in a treatment that involves a critical evaluation of work in the field and new and thought-provoking angles for reviewing such issues in the context of Singapore in the twenty-first century. The contributions address the historical trajectory of English (past, present and possible future), its position in relation to language policy and multiculturalism, the relationship between the standard and colloquial varieties, and how English can and should be taught. This book is thus essential reading for scholars and students concerned with how the dynamics of the English language are played out and managed in a modern society such as Singapore. It will also interest readers who have a more general interest in Asian studies, the sociology of language, and World Englishes. Contents 6 Series editor’s preface 8 Acknowledgements 10 List of Contributors 12 Map of Singapore and the region 15 Part I - The Ecology of English in Singapore 16 1 - English in Singapore: Policies and prospects 18 2 - Migrants and ‘mother tongues’: Extralinguistic forces in the ecology of English in Singapore 34 Part II - Reconceptualizing ‘English’ 70 3 - Singapore Standard English revisited 72 4 - The Speak Good English Movement: A web-user’s perspective 106 5 - Hybridity in ways of speaking: The glocalization of English in Singapore 124 Part III - Ethnicity and Ownership 146 6 - Whose English? Language ownership in Singapore’s English language debates 148 7 - Language and social capital in Singapore 174 8 - Language policy and planning in Singaporean late modernity 196 Part IV - English in Education 220 9 - Problematizing the implementation of innovation in English language education in Singapore 222 10 - Sounding local and going global: Current research and implications for pronunciation teaching 250 11 - English as a lingua franca: Negotiating Singapore’s English language education 276 Part V - Research Bibliography 296 12 - Researching English in Singapore: Bibliographic sources 298 Index 320 The volumes in this series set out to provide a contemporary record of the spread and development of the English language in South, Southeast, and East Asia from both linguistic and literary perspectives. The volumes in this series reflect themes that cut across national boundaries, including the study of language policies; globalization and linguistic imperialism; Englishes; and the bilingual creativity manifested by the vibrant creative writing found in a swathe of Asian societies This book provides a detailed investigation into the state and status of English in Singapore. These are important barometers of how successful this dynamic society is in its attempt to stay relevant to the world 'outside', even as it insists on portraying itself in terms of a resolutely Asian identity Edited By Lisa Lim, Anne Pakir And Lionel Wee. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.