The grammar of Brunei English

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article provides an overview of past and current studies on the grammar of Brunei English with a focus on prominent features that distinguish it from standardised varieties of English: the simplified use of tense; the flexible use of plural suffixes, especially on logically plural nouns; the variable occurrence of verbal suffixes; non‐standard use of modal verbs like will, would, can and could; article usage; insertion of a preposition after transitive verbs; and topic‐fronting. In addition, the article discusses the question of whether there is a distinct and identifiable grammar operating in Brunei English based on the presence of systematic and recurrent patterns of occurrence of such features.