Synopses & Reviews
This collection of specially commissioned articles focuses on selected critical dimensions and case studies of the theoretical, ideological, applied, and pedagogical issues related to English as it is spoken around the world. The
Handbook represents the cross-cultural and international contextualization of the English language, and the contributions articulate the visions of scholars from major varieties of world Englishes – African, Asian, European, and North and South American.
Topics discussed include the sociolinguistic contexts of varieties of English in the Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles of its users; the ranges of functional domains in which these varieties are used; attitude-marked love–hate relationships with the language; the place of English in language policies and language planning in Anglophone societies; and debates about English as a cause of language death, murder, and suicide. This innovative and unique volume is a valuable resource for researchers and students of world Englishes.
- Represents the cross-cultural and international contextualization of the English language
- Articulates the visions of scholars from major varieties of world Englishes – African, Asian, European, and North and South American
- Discusses topics including the sociolinguistic contexts of varieties of English in the inner, outer, and expanding circles of its users; the ranges of functional domains in which these varieties are used; the place of English in language policies and language planning; and debates about English as a cause of language death, murder and suicide
Review
"This is a monumental contribution to scholarship and a seminal contribution to the entire field of English language teaching and applied linguistics. I am particularly impressed with the concept of the four diasporas, the wide historical breadth, the international appeal, and the variety of geographical areas considered. It stands alone as the most comprehensive and representative volume and all scholars in languages and linguistics should add it to their reference libraries."
–James E. Alatis, Georgetown University
"An indispensable resource for those fascinated or appalled by the global power of English today. Authoritative, accessible chapters unpack the vast panorama of 21st-century world Englishes. Outstanding."
–Elizabeth de Kadt, University of KwaZulu-natal, South Africa
"Bravo! This is an authoritative yet accessible collection of texts by the top scholars in the important new field of world Englishes. It is ideally suited for use as a comprehensive course text of the topic an belongs on the bookshelf of anyone concerned with the teaching and learning of English as a language of wider communication."
–Sandra J. Savignon, Pennsylvania State University
"This exceptional volume succeeds in capturing, with an unprecedented array of global voices, the significant theoretical, applied, and pedagogical dimensions related to the phenomenal spread of English worldwide."
–Jonathan Webster, City University of Hong Kong
Review
“The book offers a wealth of material, especially in establishing the theoretical foundations for a broad range of fields in the study of World Englishes.” (
Journal of Sociolinguistics, January 2009)
“The volume is a remarkable work of scholarship and provides a real wealth of data and ideas, which, I am sure, will stimulate further research.” (World Englishes, 2008)
"[This] book offers a wealth of material, especially in establishing the theoretical foundations for a broad range of fields in the study of World Englishes.... A useful addition to the Blackwell Handbooks in Linguistics series, and as such it will probably be much valued by many students and scholars around the world." (Journal of Sociolinguistics, February 2009)
"A fascinating selection of papers that comprehensively cover a wide range of topics.... The volume is a remarkable work of scholarship and provides a real wealth of data and ideas, which, I am sure, will stimulate further research." (World Englishes, February 2009)
"The editors of The handbook of World Englishes.... have produced a book that is, certainly, a milestone in the study of World Englishes." (Journal of Linguistics, February 2009)
"[The title] has a nice blend of chapters that are primarily devoted to review of literature and synthesis of theoretical and methodological approaches.... The volume will be of interest to anyone working in English linguistics." (English World-Wide, February 2009)
"The appetite of many language scholars and students will be satiated with this collection of papers devoted to the exploration of 'World Englishes' … .[The book] displays for the most part: accessibility; authority; contemporaneity and interdisciplinarity." (Language Policy, August 2007)
“A milestone in the study of World Englishes.” (Linguistics)
Synopsis
Braj B. Kachru is Centre for Advanced Study Emeritus Professor of Linguistics and Jubilee Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is co-founder and co-editor of the journal
World Englishes, published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Yamuna Kachru is Professor Emerita in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has authored and edited over a dozen books and monographs and published over a hundred papers and reviews on South Asian languages, cross-cultural discourse, and communicative styles in world Englishes.
Cecil L. Nelson is Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at Indiana State University, Terre Haute. He is the review editor of the journal World Englishes and co-authored, with Yamuna Kachru, World Englishes in Asian Contexts (2006).
Synopsis
The Handbook of World Englishes is a collection of newly commissioned articles focusing on selected critical dimensions and case studies of the theoretical, ideological, applied and pedagogical issues related to English as it is spoken around the world.
- Represents the cross-cultural and international contextualization of the English language
- Articulates the visions of scholars from major varieties of world Englishes – African, Asian, European, and North and South American
- Discusses topics including the sociolinguistic contexts of varieties of English in the inner, outer, and expanding circles of its users; the ranges of functional domains in which these varieties are used; the place of English in language policies and language planning; and debates about English as a cause of language death, murder and suicide.
About the Author
"The appetite of many language scholars and students will be satiated with this collection of papers devoted to the exploration of 'World Englishes' … .[The book] displays for the most part: accessibility; authority; contemporaneity and interdisciplinarity." (
Language Policy, August 2007)
“A milestone in the study of World Englishes.” (Linguistics)
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables.
List of Contributors.
Preface.
Introduction: The World of World Englishes: Braj B. Kachru (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Yamuna Kachru (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), and Cecil L. Nelson (Indiana State University).
Part I: The Historical Context:.
1. The Beginnings: Robert D. King (University of Texas, Austin).
First Diaspora.
2. First Steps: Wales and Ireland: Robert D. King (University of Texas, Austin).
3. English in Scotland: Fiona Douglas (University of Leeds).
Second Diaspora.
4. English in North America: Edgar W. Schneider (University of Regensburg).
5. English in Australia and New Zealand: Scott F. Kiesling (University of Pittsburgh).
Third Diaspora.
6. South Asian Englishes: Ravinder Gargesh (University of Delhi).
7. East Asian Englishes: Nobuyuki Honna (Aoyama Gakuin University).
8. Southeast Asian Englishes: Maria Lourdes S. Bautista and Andrew B. Gonzalez (both De La Salle University).
9. South American Englishes: Kanavillil Rajagopalan (State University at Campinas, Brazil).
10. South African Englishes: Nkonko M. Kamwangamalu (Howard University).
11. West African Englishes: Tope Omoniyi (Roehampton University).
12. East African Englishes: Josef Schmied (Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany).
13. Caribbean Englishes: Michael Aceto (East Carolina University).
14. Euro-Englishes: Marko Modiano (Stokholm, Sweden).
Fourth Diaspora.
15. World Englishes Today: Kingsley Bolton (Stockholm University).
Part II: Variational Contexts:.
16. Contact Linguistics and World Englishes: Rajend Mesthrie (University of Cape Town).
17. Varieties of World Englishes: Kingsley Bolton (Stockholm University).
18. Pidgins and Creoles: Salikoko S. Mufwene (University of Chicago).
19. African American Englishes: Walt Wolfram (North Carolina State University).
Part III: Acculturation:.
20. Written Language, Standard Language, Global