The syntactic features of South African Indian English among students in Natal, with regard to use and attitudes towards usage.
Abstract
Two tests were developed and administered to 122 South
African students of Indian descent and 70 South African
students of European descent. One test elicited use of
certain syntactic constructions through requesting subjects
to make specified grammatical changes to verbally presented
sentences. The other test elicited attitudes regarding
acceptability and beliefs about own and others' use of nonstandard
syntactic forms. In both cases, test items were
based on non-standard syntactic forms reported to occur in
the speech of Indian South Africans. Results were analysed
statistically and on the basis of significant group
differences, fourteen syntactic features of South African
Indian English were identified. These results, as well as
those concerning language attitudes and beliefs, are
discussed in terms of the literature and implications for
clinical application and further research. Sex differences
in use and attitudes were also investigated but were found
to be of little significance.