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Ecuadorian Englishes: what's behind model preferences?
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Abstract:
The continuing emergence of local varieties of English in the Expanding Circle (Bolton, 2012; Sharifian, 2010; Takeshita, 2010; Xu, 2010) raises questions about these English users' orientations toward native English norms and standards, as theories of language use (normativity, Kachru, 1985) and power (hegemony, Phillipson, 1992; Woolard, 1985) predict a shift toward locally-derived norms and standards at the expense of Inner Circle norms and standards when English is used locally. However, it remains to be shown empirically whether or not local English use in the Expanding Circle and a positive orientation toward the local variety entail a negative orientation toward Inner Circle norms and standards. In order to answer this question, this study investigates attitudes of Ecuadorian university English learners toward Inner Circle and local varieties of English, their English use, and factors that affect their orientations. Results show that despite orienting positively toward the local English variety and using it with other Ecuadorians, participants also oriented positively toward Inner Circle varieties. This finding suggests that orientation toward Inner Circle and local varieties constitutes two distinct constructs. I argue that a consenting consciousness is behind participants' positive view of Inner Circle models, while increasing local English use is behind participants' positive view of the local variety. I conclude that a desire to increase social status leads participants to use English with other Ecuadorians and that a need to maintain solidarity leads participants to localize some English forms when speaking to fellow nationals.
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Keyword:
English as a Foreign Language; English in globalization; language attitudes; language use; World Englishes
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URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101636
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