Wiley-Blackwell Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations (The Language Library)

Review ‘This ambitious book is timely, well conceived, and highly accessible to a wide audience. The author brings together a range of topics related to language that have not been addressed coherently in any other volume.’ Jim Cummins,UniversityofToronto ‘This is a book whose time has come. Its focus on multilingualism in English-dominant countries uncovers a wealth of language activity that has largely gone unnoticed, and unremarked, until now, providing a much-needed counterbalance to the myopic preoccupation in the academic and wider popular literature with English. Viv Edwards’s book is also simply a pleasure to read – highly lucid, accessible and interesting, there is much here to enjoy, and learn from, for both the academic and the general reader.’ Stephen May,UniversityofWaikato "This work remains an important contribution to macro-sociolinguistic issues." Journal of Sociolinguistics<!--end--> "A hugely informative and timely book, which focuses on multilingualism in English-dominant countries" Multilingua Product Description Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World is the winner of the BAAL Book Prize 2005. Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of English as a global language and multilingualism as a social phenomenon. Written accessibly, it explores the extent of diversity in ‘inner circle’ English speaking countries (the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) and examines language in the home, school, and the wider community. Considers the perspectives of English as a global language as well as multilingualism as a social phenomenon. Written in an accessible style that draws on contemporary real life examples. Examines the everyday realities of people living in 'inner circle' English-speaking countries, such as the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Discusses the theoretical issues that underpin current debates, drawing on research literature on societal multilingualism, language maintenance and shift, language policy, language and power, and language and identity. From the Inside Flap With a flurry of recent public controversy surrounding legislation on language in education and the workplace, observers are beginning to assess the likely consequences of the shift in balance when speakers of English as a second and foreign language outnumber native speakers. At the same time there is a growing appreciation of the benefits which multilingualism brings for both minority language speakers and the wider English-speaking community in terms of business, the arts, diplomacy and defence. Multilingualism in the English-speaking World: Pedigree of Nations looks at the everyday realities for people living in ‘inner-circle’ English-speaking countries from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Accessibly written and drawing on real-life examples from North America, the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand, this book discusses the theoretical issues that underpin the current debates, drawing on the research literature on societal multilingualism, language maintenance and shift, language policy, language and power, and language and identity. From the Back Cover With a flurry of recent public controversy surrounding legislation on language in education and the workplace, observers are beginning to assess the likely consequences of the shift in balance when speakers of English as a second and foreign language outnumber native speakers. At the same time there is a growing appreciation of the benefits which multilingualism brings for both minority language speakers and the wider English-speaking community in terms of business, the arts, diplomacy and defence. Multilingualism in the English-speaking World: Pedigree of Nations looks at the everyday realities for people living in ‘inner-circle’ English-speaking countries from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Accessibly