The Oxford Handbook of World Englishes

English is the most widely documented language in human history, but the field of World Englishes has remained marginal in linguistic theory. This collection aims to engage with current linguistic theories, questions, and methodologies through real overviews, theoretical chapters, and case studies. The 36 articles are divided into four themes: Foundations, World Englishes and Linguistic Theory, Areal Profiles, and Case Studies. Part I sets out the complex history of the global spread of English, Part II addresses the mutual relevance and importance of World Englishes and theoretical subfields of Linguistics, and Part III offers detailed accounts of the structure and social histories of specific varieties of English spoken across the globe. The collection closes with a set of case studies that exemplify the type of analysis encouraged by the volume.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 840 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

English, as the most widely documented language in human history, holds a unique key to unlocking some of the mysteries of the uniquely human endowment of language. However, the field of World Englishes has remained somewhat marginalized in linguistic theory. This collection aims to foster a more direct and mutually constructive engagement with current linguistic theories, questions, and methodologies. It achieves this through comprehensive overviews, theoretical chapters, and case studies. The 36 articles in the collection are divided into four themes: Foundations, World Englishes and Linguistic Theory, Areal Profiles, and Case Studies.

Part I sets out the complex history of the global spread of English, providing insights into the factors that have contributed to its spread and influence. In Part II, chapters address the mutual relevance and importance of World Englishes and numerous theoretical subfields of Linguistics, highlighting the ways in which they intersect and inform each other.

Part III offers detailed accounts of the structure and social histories of specific varieties of English spoken across the globe, highlighting points of theoretical interest. The collection closes with a set of case studies that exemplify the type of analysis encouraged by the volume. While the book focuses on innovative work at the interface of dialect description and theoretical explanation, it is more succinct in its treatment of applied themes, which are given complementary coverage in other works.

This collection represents a significant step forward in the study of World Englishes, offering a wealth of insights and perspectives that will contribute to the ongoing development of linguistic theory and practice. It will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and students in the fields of Linguistics, English Studies, and related disciplines.

Weight: 1394g
Dimension: 246 x 170 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197766491