The course looks at the development of English from an historical point of view, as well as a survey of the variants of English in the modern world, covering dialects, creoles, the use of lingua franca and the geographical locations of English as a first language and English as a second language. Received Pronunciation of standard British English, and American and Canadian English will be contrasted.

The students will learn the historical chronological development of English, its devvelopment into a lingua franca, and its synchronic uses in the modern world. Real world linguistic application will be stressed, and data will be gathered from informant and elsewhere, and presented in each class with partners or in teams.