David Crystal, world authority on the English language, presents a lively and factual account of the rise of English as a global language and explores the whys and wherefores of the history, current status and future potential of English as the international language of communication. This new edition of his classic book includes new material (on the vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation of New Englishes), footnotes, new tables, and a full bibliography. There are updates throughout.

Key Features

The best available account of English as an international phenomenon

Updated edition, with extra sections on the future of English as a world language, English on the Internet, the possibility of an English ‘family’ of languages, footnotes and a full bibliography

Suitable for anyone of any nationality concerned with English: teachers, students, language professionals, politicians, general readers and anyone with a love of the language

Contents

Preface; 1. Why a global language?; 2. Why English? The historical context; 3. Why English? The cultural foundation; 4. Why English? The cultural legacy; 5. The future of global English; References; Index; List of tables.

"A masterly synopsis of the spread of English across the world … English as a Global Language arrives as an elegant successor to Robert McCrum’s The Story of English, published in 1986. It is at the same time cool and immensely authoritative. Less than half the size, but with scarcely less text than its richly illustrated Rolls-Royce predecessor, it sets a new standard in the popularisation of linguistics."

Sir John Hanson (Director-General of The British Council), Times Higher Education Supplement