English as a Global Language - Second Edition - Softcover

Crystal, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 312533571X ISBN 13: 9783125335714

Publisher: Klett Sprachen GmbH, 2012

Synopsis

David Crystals Klassiker English as a Global Language behandelt die Geschichte, den gegenwärtigen Zustand und die mögliche Zukunft der englischen Sprache, mit Fokus auf ihre Rolle als die führende internationale Sprache.Mit über 1.5 Milliarden Sprechern weltweit gilt Englisch oftmals als die 'erfolgreichste' Sprache aller Zeiten. Daher ist es eine große Herausforderung, diese Sprache in ihre Gänze beschreiben zu wollen. Crystal jedoch erkundet das Thema auf eine gleichzeitig maßvolle und fesselnde Art, immer darauf bedacht, seine Beobachtungen mit Fakten und Daten zu unterfüttern. Dieses Buch, geschrieben auf eine detaillierte und doch faszinierende Weise, ist so gleichermaßen für ein Expertenpublikum und für eine generelle Leserschaft geeignet, die einfach ihr Wissen über die englische Sprache erweitern möchte.

About this title

Product Description

David Crystal's classic English as a Global Language considers the history, present status and future of the English language, focusing on its role as the leading international language. English has been deemed the most 'successful' language ever, with 1500 million speakers internationally, presenting a difficult task to those who wish to investigate it in its entirety. However, Crystal explores the subject in a measured but engaging way, always backing up observations with facts and figures. Written in a detailed and fascinating manner, this is a book written by an expert both for specialists in the subject and for general readers interested in the English language.

Review

'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, The Times Higher Education Supplement

'This little book is a cross between a tourist guide and a no-nonsense school textbook ... Crystal is skilled at assembling scattered yet useful data in a form that seems safe and reliable. He presents enough facts and figures to make readers feel that they are getting good value for their time and money … The book's value is clear. It is a judicious mix of outline facts and good sense about language ... Overall, this commonsensical little book will be a useful tool for spreading the important message that English is not supreme because it is superior … , that English is not declining, and that it would be a tragedy if English alone remained among languages.' Jean Aitchison, Times Educational Supplement

'This is a fascinating and useful book... a fine introduction for a wide variety of potential users.' Choice

'Crystal provides us with an excellent account of the growth of English as the global language.' Good Book Guide

Edition details

• Publisher: Klett Sprachen GmbH
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: German
• ISBN 10: 312533571X
• ISBN 13: 9783125335714
• Binding: Paperback