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The global spread of English has had widespread linguistic, social, and cultural implications, affecting the lives of millions of people around the world. This textbook provides a lively and accessible introduction to world Englishes, describing varieties used in regions as diverse as America, the Caribbean, Australia, Africa, and Asia, and setting them within their historical and social contexts. Students are guided through the material with chapter summaries, discussion questions and exercises, and a comprehensive glossary, helping them to understand different varieties of English. The second edition is substantially updated, including new sections on English as a Lingua Franca, blurring boundaries, and research methods and resources. The book is accompanied by a useful website, containing textual and audio examples of the varieties introduced in the text. Providing essential knowledge and skills for those embarking on the study of world Englishes, this is a timely update of the leading introduction to the subject.
List of contents
1. Introduction; 2. Basic notions; 3. Historical background; 4. Language crossing an ocean: old world and new world; 5. Settlers and locals: Southern Hemisphere Englishes, transported and newly born; 6. Missionaries, merchants, and more: English is useful, English is ours; 7. Language development: a general perspective; 8. Issues and attitudes; 9. Conclusion; Appendix 1. Phonetic characters; Appendix 2. A list of guiding questions on English in any specific region; Appendix 3. How to research world Englishes: sources and methodology.
About the author
Edgar W. Schneider is Full Professor and Chair of English Linguistics in the Department of English and American Studies at Universität Regensburg, Germany.
Summary
A lively introduction to world Englishes, describing varieties used in a wide range of countries worldwide, and setting them within their historical and social contexts. Providing essential knowledge and skills for students of world Englishes, this second edition is a timely update of the leading introduction to the subject.
