The phonetics of Namibian English

Abstract

Namibian English (NamE) is frequently referred to as an offspring of (White) South African English (SAfrE), although more recently researchers have tried to describe it as a variety in its own right. In particular, Kautzsch and Schröder (2016) describe several phonetic features seemingly specific to NamE and unattested in other (South) African Englishes. This paper takes up some of their findings and provides further evidence for Namibian-specific realisations of vowels by investigating a supposedly NamE-specific nurse–work split and comparing realisations of the trap–dress merger attested in some varieties of SAfrE. The paper supports the claim that NamE should be considered a variety in its own right, further demonstrating that it should not be seen as a monolithic whole.

The production of voicing in Namibian English stops by speakers of Khoekhoegowab

“…The study focused on L1 Khoekhoegowab speakers' production of English stop consonants but the results also offer valuable information on Namibian English phonetics in a broader perspective. There is still relatively little research on the phonetic features of Namibian English, and there is some debate on whether there is a single standardized English variety or multiple L1 dependent varieties spoken in the country (Buschfeld & Kautzsch 2014;Schröder et al 2021;Stell 2022aStell , 2022b. Either way, since Khoekhoegowab is the second most common indigenous language spoken in Namibia, a notable number of Namibian English speakers are L1 Khoekhoegowab speakers.…”

“…Previous studies have indeed identified certain phonetic characteristics in Namibian English that differentiate it from other English varieties, particularly South African English (Buschfeld & Kautzsch 2014;Schröder et al 2021). It has been suggested, however, that the pronunciation of Namibian English varies among speakers and is influenced by ethnic factors, implying the existence of multiple localized sub-varieties of Namibian English (Schröder et al 2021). On the other hand, some argue that a single, more standardized local variation of Namibian English with a higher social status might be emerging among speakers of different local languages, bringing the ethnically diverse Namibian English variations together (Stell 2022a(Stell , 2022b.…”

“…English has been the official language of Namibia since the country gained its independence in 1990 (Norro 2022a). Since then, research has indicated that a distinctly Namibian form of English may be emerging among World Englishes, separate from South African English varieties (Buschfeld & Kautzsch 2014;Schröder et al 2021;Stell 2022b). Most Namibians are multilingual speakers of indigenous languages and typically learn English as a second or third language in school where it is used as the mode of instruction (Norro 2022b(Norro , 2022c, which means that it is likely that the phonetic characteristics of Namibian English are influenced by the phonological systems present in Bantu and Khoe languages.…”

“…Previous studies have indeed identified certain phonetic characteristics in Namibian English that differentiate it from other English varieties, particularly South African English (Buschfeld & Kautzsch 2014;Schröder et al 2021). It has been suggested, however, that the pronunciation of Namibian English varies among speakers and is influenced by ethnic factors, implying the existence of multiple localized sub-varieties of Namibian English (Schröder et al 2021).…”

“…) Studies on Namibian English have typically focused on vowels (e.g. Schröder et al 2021;Stell 2022aStell , 2022b, and research on the consonants of Namibian English is particularly scarce. The purpose of the current study was therefore to provide some of the first insights into the consonants of Namibian English by examining the production of word-initial stop consonants by native speakers of Khoekhoegowab.…”