Explore the continuing story of variation and change in the English spoken here in London, across the UK and around the world

Course dates: Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22 February 2018

Times: 18.00 – 20.00

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All languages change over time, and vary according to place and context. Change may result from significant socio-political events such as invasion, colonisation and migration, or reflect more organic social and cultural change within a speech community. The way we speak is also influenced by many factors – our family roots, our social and educational background, our working environment, our friends and our own sense of identity. Join four of the UK’s leading linguistic experts and explore how they investigate and document the continuing story of variation and change in the English spoken here in London, across the UK and around the world.

This course is convened by Jonnie Robinson, Lead Curator of Spoken English at the British Library. Contributors include Jenny Cheshire, Professor of Linguistics at Queen Mary, University of London, Tony McEnery, Distinguished Professor of English Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University, and Devyani Sharma, Professor of Sociolinguistics at Queen Mary, University of London.

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