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The Postcolonial Identity of Sri Lankan English
Manique Gunesekera is a native speaker of Sri Lankan English. She is the Head of the Department of English and Professor of English, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. She is currently the Vice President of the Sri Lanka English Language Teachers’ Association (SLELTA). Manique has an English Honours degree from the University of Kelaniya, a Master’s in TESL from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Her research interests include varieties of English, language and identity, business communication, and postcolonial literature. Manique Gunesekera has collected a wide array of words used in Sri Lanka, forming an integral part of the English spoken today in the island. From the villages and cities, the universities and offices, the collection gives an insight into the humour and the wit of the Sri Lankan. Some words have found their way into universal dictionaries while others are used in literary works in English, giving a flavour of the richness and depth of Sri Lankan society.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 30, 2012
Professor Manique Gunesekera's book on Sri Lankan English is the first of its kind, and fulfils a long-felt need in the field. It includes an interesting discussion on the role of English in Sri Lanka as well as a linguistic description of Sri Lankan English with authentic examples. Whether you are a scholar/student with a research interest in World Englishes or someone who is learning about Sri Lankan English and culture , this is the book for you.
"For a language which has been part of the culture and
identity of a country for nearly 210 years, English occupies
a peculiar position in Sri Lankan society. It is only now, in
the 21st century that at least some users of English are
prepared to say they speak or use Sri Lankan English. For
generations, people have believed and declared that they
speak British English or the Queen’s English; and these
terms are used interchangeably. In keeping with this belief,
some Sri Lankans still look to the BBC as the arbiter of
correct usage of English for Sri Lanka. In a post colonial
society such as ours, this is supreme example of linguistic
servitude. First, we do not acknowledge that we have a language
which we can call Sri Lankan English. Second, we delude
ourselves that our language is really a slight variation of
British English. Third, this myth is based on the fond belief
that by saying we speak British English we mean Received
Pronunciation of the mid-20th century, and no other variety
of British English... In a sense time stands still, or is
perceived to do so, in the minds of most fluent speakers of
English in Sri Lanka." (Gunesekera, 2010, p. 11-12)
"For a language which has been part of the culture and
identity of a country for nearly 210 years, English occupies
a peculiar position in Sri Lankan society. It is only now, in
the 21st century that at least some users of English are
prepared to say they speak or use Sri Lankan English. For
generations, people have believed and declared that they
speak British English or the Queen’s English; and these
terms are used interchangeably. In keeping with this belief,
some Sri Lankans still look to the BBC as the arbiter of
correct usage of English for Sri Lanka. In a post colonial
society such as ours, this is supreme example of linguistic
servitude. First, we do not acknowledge that we have a language
which we can call Sri Lankan English. Second, we delude
ourselves that our language is really a slight variation of
British English. Third, this myth is based on the fond belief
that by saying we speak British English we mean Received
Pronunciation of the mid-20th century, and no other variety
of British English... In a sense time stands still, or is
perceived to do so, in the minds of most fluent speakers of
English in Sri Lanka." (Gunesekera, 2010, p. 11-12)
July 3, 2011
Brilliant. Gunesekera's detail and research is phenomenal.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews