Edgar W. Schneider's dynamic model of postcolonial Englishes adopts an evolutionary perspective [1] emphasizing language ecologies. It shows how language evolves as a process of 'competition-and-selection', and how certain linguistic features emerge.[2] The Dynamic Model illustrates how the histories and ecologies will determine language structures in the different varieties of English, and how linguistic and social identities are maintained.[3]
Five underlying principles underscore the Dynamic Model: [4]
The Dynamic Model outlines five major stages of the evolution of world Englishes. These stages will take into account the perspectives from the two major parties of agents – settlers (STL) and indigenous residents (IDG). Each phase is defined by four parameters:[4]
Phase 1: Foundation | Phase 2: Exonormative stabilization | Phase 3: Nativization | Phase 4: Endonormative stabilization | Phase 5: Differentiation | |
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Sociopolitical background |
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Identity constructions |
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Sociolinguistic conditions |
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Linguistic effects |
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