Liz: [Southern English accent] Hi Sam, what are you doing?

Sam: [Southern English accent] Oh hi Liz! I'm just trying to catch up on some work for my English assignment. I've been so busy all week ...

Liz: Uhuh.What's it about?

Sam: It's about the future of English - it's quite interesting,actually.Did you know, for example, that in 100 years' time half the world's languages will have disappeared because of the rise of different Englishes?

Liz: What do you mean, ‘Englishes'?

Sam: Well, varieties of English in different parts of the world, like Singlish in Singapore - and Hinglish in India.1 According to this article I found, by the time we're sixty, more people will be speaking Hinglish than ‘standard' English.

Liz: Really? Well, that sounds more interesting than my assignment on Macbeth: I just can't think of anything original to say... Anyway, are you doing anything on Saturday afternoon? The thing is, I'm getting fed up with living in my hall of residence – it's really crowded and noisy – so I'm going to look at that flat for rent, you know, the one in Crown Street that's advertised on the student union notice board? I'd really like you to come with me and tell me what you think.

Sam: Oh, I'm sorry, Liz but the deadline for the assignment is Monday, so I really have to work on it on Saturday.

Liz: But will you still be working on it at 5.30? That's when I've arranged to go and see the place.

Sam: I expect so... I've got such a lot to do.

Liz: Oh well, I'm sure I can go some other time over the weekend. What about Sunday? Will you have finished it by then?

Sam: Well, I hope so, but my aunt and uncle are coming to lunch on Sunday and they'll be bringing my little cousin, so I'll probably have to go to the park with him in the afternoon. He loves feeding the ducks.

Liz: How sweet! Hmm, you are going to have a busy weekend! Oh well...

Sam: Look, I'll ring you as soon as my aunt and uncle leave. Maybe we'll have time to go and look at the flat then.

Liz: OK. By the way, are you coming to the lecture on the Romantic poets?

Sam: When's that?

Liz: It starts in ten minutes. Did you forget?

Sam: Oh no!Yes, I did! Oh, I think I'll give it a miss. I'm sure Professor Evans won't notice.

Professor: [RP accent] Won't notice what, Sam?

Sam: Oh! Professor ... um, nothing, I was just reminding Liz about the lecture ...

Professor: I see. Well, I'm glad I bumped into you. I'd like you to give a short presentation about your ‘future of English' assignment at the seminar on Monday morning, OK?

Sam: Um, I... yes, of course I...