PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

The present paper examines the use of English in Namibia focussed on one particular type of social situation, namely small talk with a stranger at a party. The analysis concentrates on the opening turns-at-talk and contrasts Namibian English to previously analysed native and learner varieties of the English language, specifically English English, Irish English, American English, Canadian English, and German English. This paper thus contributes to research in variational pragmatics comparing national varieties of the same language. More particularly, the present study reveals a range of variety-preferential patterns for Namibian English and thus contributes to establishing a pragmatic profile of English in Namibia.