Linguistic Imperialism

Robert Phillipson author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:9th Apr '92

Should be back in stock very soon

Linguistic Imperialism cover

Explores the contemporary phenomenon of English as an international language, and sets out to analyse how and why the language has become so dominant. By Robert Phillipson. Part of the Oxford Applied Linguistics series.

This book explores the contemporary phenomenon of English as an international language, and sets out to analyse how and why the language has become so dominant. It looks at the spread of English historically, at the role it plays in Third World countries, and at the ideologies transmitted through the English language.This book explores the contemporary phenomenon of English as an international language, and sets out to analyse how and why the language has become so dominant. It looks at the spread of English historically, at the role it plays in Third World countries, and at the ideologies transmitted through the English language.

'What is original about his treatise is that it provides the first systematic examination of the enormous significance of language to most neo-colonial enterprises. It should be recommended to anyone convinced of the 'superiority' of the English language or of the necessity of its universal dissemination.' * New Internationalist (21/09/1995) *
'This is an important, groundbreaking study of the political background and impact of the spread of English. Congratulations are due to Phillipson for having taken on this task ... Phillipson has tackled a topic of major proportion and his work shows his wide reading of a large number of interesting sources ... He has drawn attention dramatically to important issues that have so far been mainly ignored and that cry out for continued investigation, and his book should be required reading for all concerned with the development and implementation of language policy.' * Journal of Pragmatics (12/02/1996) *

  • Winner of Shortlisted for the 2000 BAAL Book Prize.

ISBN: 9780194371469

Dimensions: 216mm x 138mm x 22mm

Weight: 463g

376 pages