The Dynamic Model

This entry outlines the key components and characteristics of the “Dynamic Model,” a leading framework to account for the evolution of postcolonial varieties of English and, especially, similarities in these processes across many continents and time periods. Precursors and the theoretical background in linguistics are referred to before describing the basic assumptions of the model: a prototypical evolutionary scenario which involves the dual perspective of colonizers and colonized, a unilateral implication of politics, identity definitions, sociolinguistic settings, and structural consequences, and then five subsequent phases that new varieties typically go through, and their distinctive properties. Reactions to the model, including its widespread acceptance, some attempts at testing it, some criticism, and follow‐up approaches are also outlined and discussed.