The English Languages

Tom McArthur author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:5th Mar '98

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The English Languages cover

Plural? Monolithic? Legion? - Tom McArthur explores the nature of English in its local and global contexts.

With ever expanding networks of communication, and the increasing globalization of 'English', this timely and broad-ranging book looks at just what this complex of language is, and the variety, implications and options of this vast, pluralistic system that incorporates dialects, creoles, and local variations.Hundreds of millions of people use English every day everywhere in the world, but may or may not succeed in understanding each other. Despite the success of its standard form (or forms) in many countries, the complex called 'English' is immensely diverse - probably more diverse than any single language has ever been - and is likely to become even more so. This book is a compelling and broad-ranging invitation to consider the variety, the options and the implications of this vast system. The English Languages looks at the 'pluralism' of English, the 'Englishes', that have arisen in the last few decades, and addresses the question of whether or not English can be considered a family of languages in its own right, like the Romance languages.

"The English Languages is a fascinating book written in a highly user-friendly style." Word

ISBN: 9780521485821

Dimensions: 216mm x 139mm x 21mm

Weight: 322g

272 pages