An intro class lecture: New languages- the example of Sheng

Several years ago I wrote a lecture for my “Introduction to International Studies” course that looked at the emergence of new languages. While people are aware of language loss, fewer people know that new languages are also forming. So I used this lecture as a means to talk about cultural globalization. I’ve talked about Sheng before on the blog, but I thought that another faculty member might want to use this lecture.
It’s important for me to say that I based this lecture on an several peer-reviewed articles, as well as articles in the popular press, but I did not note them. So this material is not original, but I can’t cite the original authors. My apologies to these scholars.
Cultural Globalization and Language: The Example of Sheng
Terms:
Michif
Haitian creole
Lingua Geral
Sheng
Kenya
KiSwahili
Gaelic
Saami/Sami
Argot: a secret vocabulary and language for a particular group
(silent t in “argot”)
pidgin: an artificial language created for use between speakers of different languages
Patois (pronounced pat’wa): a dialect separate from the standard language
Lecture Outline:
Cultural Globalization
New Languages in the Americas
Language Creation in Africa
Sheng: Structure and Perceptions
Urban Languages in Africa
Resources on Youtube:
- Dr Seuss in Jamaican Patois
- Language is a Virus (really good, must use): /www.youtube.com/watch?v=quPGg08C2pE
- “Jorm and Rabbit in Nairobi”: music video in Sheng
- Search Scottish Gaelic Discovery Channel(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVCrgvvHeE)
- Discovery Channel video on Saami on Youtube
…
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