Malaysian English
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL3077 | English | 3 | 20 | Spring Malaysia |
- Code
- ENGL3077
- School
- English
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring Malaysia
Summary
This module explores the Malaysian variety of English sometimes colloquially referred to as Manglish. However, it recognizes that the variety under study is extremely heterogeneous, comprising in fact several potential varieties with a number of different substrates. The data are taken from a number of sources in Malaysia, including advertisements, literature, radio broadcasts, television shows and plays. The module encourages students to directly engage in data collection and analysis. In so doing, the participants directly add to the existing literature on Malaysian English, while also situating their study in the general field of World Englishes. This can be done particularly via the rather more extensive work on Singapore English, which while not identical, nevertheless shares a number of features. In so doing, the students will also directly engage with the debates surrounding good English and the accompanying movement of that name, as well as exploring questions of language convergence and divergence.
Target Students
Level 3 BA English Language and Literature and BA English with Creative Writing students.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks
Assessment
- 75% Assignment: 3500 Word Essay
- 25% Presentation 1: In-class 15 minutes individual Presentation
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with first-hand knowledge of Malaysian English and its situation in World Englishes.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of
- the main influences on Malaysian English and its features
- the tools with which language differences can be examined
- the implications of noting language differences from linguistic and cultural perspectives
Intellectual skills
- the ability to examine language for distinctive features and the importance of this from various perspectives.
Professional skills
- the appropriate means of data collection while maintaining ethical responsibility.
- the ability to write accurately, and to present written material using conventions appropriate to linguistic study
- the ability to construct and communicate a sustained analysis of original language data.
Transferable skills
- the ability to communicate effectively in writing
- the ability to reflect upon and assess progress
Conveners
- Natrah Noor