World Englishes and Culture Wars (Cambridge Approaches to Language Contact) - Hardcover

Kachru, Braj B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521825717 ISBN 13: 9780521825719

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2017

Synopsis

Written from a non-Western perspective, this book exposes the inadequacy of oppositions such as native vs. non-native Englishes and English vs. New Englishes. It explains why the label 'World Englishes' captures both what the different Englishes share and how they differ from each other. It also criticizes the kinds of power asymmetries that have evolved between the Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles of English, while showing the extent to which the Outer Circle has enriched their common language and made it suitable for both its heritage and non-heritage users. The narrative is grounded in a wealth of historical knowledge, especially that of the colonization of the Outer Circle. Readers are invited to compare the spread and differentiation of English with those of Latin, which evolved into the Romance languages. This comparison may leave the reader asking: could English break up into Anglian languages?

About this title

Review:

'A classic collection that enlarges and illuminates a range of key issues relating to culture, literary creativity, linguistic inquiry, multilingualism and the dynamics of Englishes worldwide ... Essential reading for all those interested in the theoretical underpinnings of World Englishes as an academic discipline.' Kingsley Bolton, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

'This consolidated version of Braj Kachru's seminal and still relevant research on the postcolonial roles, forms and functions of English will continue to challenge and serve a new generation of students and researchers.' Rajend Mesthrie, University of Cape Town

Book Description:

This book complements and advances the traditional scholarship on the history of English. It is about the role of different forms of colonization and related ideologies in its diversification. It also discusses the consequences of its appropriation by practitioners of different cultures and its indigenization into their own language.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0521825717
• ISBN 13: 9780521825719
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 344