The spread of English around the world has been and continues to be both rapid and unpredictable. World Englishes: The Study of New Linguistic Varieties deals with this inescapable result of colonisation and globalisation from a social and linguistic perspective. The main focus of the book is on the second-language varieties of English that have developed in the former British colonies of East and West Africa, the Caribbean, South and South-East Asia. The book provides a historical overview of the common circumstances that gave rise to these varieties, and a detailed account of their recurrent similarities in structure, patterns of usage, vocabulary and accents. Also discussed are debates about language in education, the rise of English in China and Western Europe, and other current developments in a world of global travel and migration.
- The spread of English around the world is a topic of interest to a wide range of potential readers
- Very topical - covers current debates such as language in education and the rise of English in China and Western Europe
- Includes end of chapter review questions, which allow the reader to monitor their understanding of the material presented
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Reviews & endorsements
'… an important contribution to the study of English as an international language because it evaluates the evolution of English as it is spoken globally and the linguistic consequences of this process. … It is wonderfully indexed and there is [a] fine glossary for beginners. As a teaching tool, it is excellent … the book is well worth purchasing for its comprehensive and scholarly approach to an issue of growing importance.' English International Language Journal
'… this book is a timely and important contribution, identifying and advancing new theoretical perspectives on structures in WEs. … this is an expert overview of WEs, offering a skilled and timely reorientation towards linguistic theory while maintaining a crisp, accessible style throughout. Well-chosen study questions designed to support the theoretical focus of the book accompany each chapter, and the detailed glossary is an excellent resource. The authors' complementary areas of expertise allow the book to range from subtle structural analysis to dine explorations of sociohistorical processes. To a much greater extent than previous introductory texts, this book contextualizes WEs structures within two theoretical domains in particular - formal linguistic theory and language contact theory.' The Journal of Language in Society
'… the boo includes a wealth of carefully selected data which is presented with authority and clarity in order to focus on the features that are shared by a range of New Englishes, and many readers will find the collation of data analyzed within a range of theoretical approaches useful … The book therefore offers a concise and well-written overview of issues connected with the description and analysis of World Englishes, and it constitutes a valuable contribution to the growing volume of material in this field.' Journal of Sociolinguistics
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Product details
- Date Published: June 2008
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521797337
- length: 296 pages
- dimensions: 216 x 137 x 17 mm
- weight: 0.41kg
- contains: 5 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. History: the spread of English
2. Structural features of New Englishes I: morphology and phrasal syntax
3. Structural features of New Englishes II: cross-clausal syntax and syntactic theory
4. More on structure: lexis, phonology, and optimality syntax
5. Pragmatics and discourse
6. Language contact and language acquisition issues in New English research
7. Conclusion: current trends in the spread of English.
Look Inside
Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Dialects of English
- International English
- Introduction to Linguistics ll: Dialects
- Seminar in Reading: Language Development
- Topics in Linguistics I
- Topics in Linguistics: Bilingualism
- World Englishes
Authors
Rajend Mesthrie, University of Cape Town
Rajend Mesthrie is Professor of Linguistics in the Department of English at the University of Cape Town.
Rakesh M. Bhatt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Rakesh M. Bhatt is Associate Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Illinois.