Saipanese English

Abstract

In this volume, the emergence of English in Saipan is examined in the complex context of its colonial past. The focus lies on the influence of the American era on the linguistic outcomes in Saipan. Sociolinguistic interviews with indigenous Chamorros and Saipan Carolinians were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. A general overview of the English spoken in Saipan and detailed analyses of selected morphosyntactic features are presented. The English spoken by the local people presents an interesting transitional phase of English becoming a first language with unique local ‘island’ features. Results shed light on linguistic constraints globally and on social constraints in Saipan that motivate language variation and change locally. This volume contributes to the literature of language variation and change, lesser-known varieties of English, and the description and categorization of emerging English varieties within the canon of World Englishes.