Date:  Wed, 8 Dec 1993 16:52:36 +0700

From:  Gwyn Williams <gwyn[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]IPIED.TU.AC.TH>

Subject: Hello and help!



Hello everyone,



 I have just joined this group from Thailand. I am a New Zealander by

upbringing. I teach linguistics in Thailand. My present interest in this

group arises from the fact that I am teaching a linguistics course

"Varieties of English". We have started with a look at the history of the

English language from old to modern and will soon be looking at particular

varieties. Anything of relevance and interest will end up in folder for my

students.



 You may see one of my major problems (um, challenges) is that I am

attempting to teach about English varieties to non-native speakers of low

competence. I wonder if anyone has any ideas that may make things less

tedious for them and for me. I intend to cover dialect, accent (probably

mostly this), style, native and non-native varieties (World Englishes).



 One thing I would love to get hold of are word lists or sentences that

illustrate various dialects or accent differences. Do such exist in this

group? I'd appreciate anything. I could use them to send students out to

interview hapless tourists in the locality :-) I have access to several

texts, eg., by Trudgill, etc. Of limited use to us: to much reading, too

few examples :-(



Many thanks



(Mr.) Gwyn Williams

Department of Linguistics

Thammasat University

Bangkok

Thailand

<gwyn[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ipied.tu.ac.th>