Cambridge University Press
   0521823471 - English as a Global Language, Second Edition
   David Crystal
   Frontmatter
   More information
                    English as a global language
                         Second edition
        DavidCrystal, world authority on the English language, presents a lively
        and factual account of the rise of English as a global language and ex-
        plores the whys and wherefores of the history, current status and future
        potentialofEnglishastheinternationallanguageofcommunication.En-
        glish has been lauded as the most ‘successful’ language ever, with 1,500
        million speakers worldwide; but Crystal avoids taking sides and tells the
        story in a measured but engaging way, backed by facts and figures. This
        new edition of his classic book contains extra sections (on subjects in-
        cluding the linguistic features of New Englishes, the future of English as
        aworldlanguage,andthepossibilityofanEnglish‘family’oflanguages),
        footnotes and a full bibliography. There are updates throughout. This is
        a book for anyone of any nationality concerned with English: teachers,
        students, language professionals, politicians, general readers and anyone
        with a love of the language.
        DAVID CRYSTALisoneoftheworld’sforemostauthoritiesonlanguage.
        HeisauthorofthehugelysuccessfulCambridgeencyclopediaoflanguage
        (1987; second edition 1997), Cambridge encyclopedia of the English
        language (1995), Language death (2000), Language and the Internet
        (2001) and Shakespeare’s words (2002, with Ben Crystal). An interna-
        tionally renowned writer, journal editor, lecturer and broadcaster, he
        received an OBE in 1995 for his services to the study and teaching of
        the English language. His edited books include several editions of The
        Cambridge encyclopedia (1990–2000) and related publications, Words
        on words (2000, with Hilary Crystal) and The new Penguin encyclopedia
        (2002).
   © Cambridge University Press            www.cambridge.org
   Cambridge University Press
   0521823471 - English as a Global Language, Second Edition
   David Crystal
   Frontmatter
   More information
           English as a global language
                     Second edition
                  DAVIDCRYSTAL
   © Cambridge University Press       www.cambridge.org
      Cambridge University Press
      0521823471 - English as a Global Language, Second Edition
      David Crystal
      Frontmatter
      More information
                    PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
                     ThePitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RP, United Kingdom
                                                                                   S
                                              CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRES
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                                                  http://www.cambridge.org
                                                 
C David Crystal 1997, 2003
                                  This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
                              and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
                                     noreproduction of any part may take place without
                                   the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
                                                     First published 1997
                                                     Second edition 2003
                                                    Reprinted 2004(twice)
                            Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge
                                                                                        A
                           Typefaces Galliard 10.5/13 pt and Formata           System LT X2       [TB]
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                             Acatalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
                                                ISBN0521823471hardback
                                                ISBN0521530326paperback
      © Cambridge University Press                                                                www.cambridge.org
    Cambridge University Press
    0521823471 - English as a Global Language, Second Edition
    David Crystal
    Frontmatter
    More information
                                     Contents
            List of tables                                          page vii
            Preface to the second edition                                ix
            Preface to the first edition                                 xii
            1   Whyaglobal language?                                     1
                      Whatis a global language?                          3
                      Whatmakesaglobal language?                         7
                      Whydoweneedagloballanguage?                       11
                      Whatare the dangers of a global language?         14
                      Could anything stop a global language?            25
                      Acritical era                                     27
            2   WhyEnglish? The historical context                      29
                      Origins                                           30
                      America                                           31
                      Canada                                            36
                      TheCaribbean                                      39
                      Australia and New Zealand                         40
                      South Africa                                      43
                      South Asia                                        46
                      Former colonial Africa                            49
                      South-east Asia and the South Pacific              54
                      Aworldview                                        59
                                           v
    © Cambridge University Press                                  www.cambridge.org