English Around the World: An Introduction

Cambridge Introductions to the English Language

by Edgar W. Schneider

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 places as broad-ranging as America, Jamaica, Australia, Africa and Asia, and setting them within their historical and social contexts. Students are guided through the material with chapter previews and summaries, maps, timelines, lists of key terms, discussion questions and exercises, and a comprehensive glossary, helping them to understand, analyse and compare different varieties of English, and apply descriptive terminology. The book is accompanied by a useful web site, containing textual and audio examples of the varieties introduced in the text, and links to related sources of interest. Providing essential knowledge and skills for those embarking on the study of world Englishes, this is set to become the leading introduction to the subject.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction, Academic

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Stuart Halford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the topic. Clear and well illustrated with examples and good supporting material on website. Undergraduate level but for a literate A level language student would be a detailed overview of language change that would surprise an examiner if the wider debates were understood and incorporated.

[មេត្រីភាព ឈឹម]

i want to learn

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was written more for undergrads than grad students, so I would have to think about how to use it in a mixed-level class. I liked the way it was laid out. I would have definitely used the supplemental material (audio and texts) in my mixed-level class this fall. I'll save the full review for WE.

[Iris Windmeijer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, well-structured. Great book for university-purposes.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't find the subject compelling. I suppose this is a satisfactory introduction, however, and I appreciated the online audio resources. Read it for an exam. Aced the exam. Book did it's job.