English in Cyprus and Namibia

This paper follows up on the recent claim that the strict separation between second-language varieties of English and learner Englishes is inadequate. It approaches this idea by combining theoretical considerations on the traditionally established differences between the two types of English with findings from case studies on English in Cyprus (cf. Buschfeld 2013) and English in Namibia (cf. Buschfeld & Kautzsch fc. 2014). The results suggest that both Englishes defy clear classification as either learner language or second-language variety and therefore show that the strict separation of these two types of English should be reconsidered. Finally, the paper discusses a range of theoretical implications these findings bring about and if / how Schneider’s (2007) Dynamic Model can account for such cases.