World Englishes: The Local Lives of a Global Language

Examines the external history, social processes and consequences for language variation and change in English Covers varieties of English spoken in North America, Australasia, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, including Pidgins and Creoles Examines the competing perspectives of English settlers, indigenous and enslaved people who fashion a new English during interactions within colonial communities Critically examines the politics and ethics of English as the dominant global language today, while glimpsing into the future The English language has spread across the globe but acquired local characteristics along the way. World Englishes traces the recent history of English, the social forces that contribute to shape the language contact, use, acquisition and attitudes and the ensuing variation in the language. It continues to diversify across space, time and contexts of use, but ongoing interactions among people constrain diversification.Different chapters of World Englishes examine the competing perspectives of English settlers who fashion a new English during interactions in new colonies; of enslaved or economically marginalised people who became native speakers themselves; of colonial subjects who were compelled into using English but then claimed ownership of it; of global citizens who learn and use English today; and of contemporary migrants and digital netizens who blend English into densely multilingual encounters. The book critically examines the politics and ethics of English as dominant global language today, while glimpsing into the future.