Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World : Pedigree of Nations

**__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. Content: Chapter 1 The Myth of Monolingualism (pages 1–12): Chapter 2 Roots of Diversity (pages 13–47): Chapter 3 Language and the Provision of Services (pages 48–76): Chapter 4 Language in the Family (pages 77–93): Chapter 5 Language and Education: A History (pages 94–104): Chapter 6 Language and Education in the Modern World (pages 105–136): Chapter 7 Minority Languages and Majority Speakers (pages 137–146): Chapter 8 Language and the Economy (pages 147–166): Chapter 9 Language and the Media (pages 167–187): Chapter 10 Language and the Arts (pages 188–206): Chapter 11 Language, Diplomacy and Defence (pages 207–213): Chapter 12 Is Life Really Too Short to Learn German? (pages 214–222): 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. Content: Chapter 1 The Myth of Monolingualism (pages 1–12): Chapter 2 Roots of Diversity (pages 13–47): Chapter 3 Language and the Provision of Services (pages 48–76): Chapter 4 Language in the Family (pages 77–93): Chapter 5 Language and Education: A History (pages 94–104): Chapter 6 Language and Education in the Modern World (pages 105–136): Chapter 7 Minority Languages and Majority Speakers (pages 137–146): Chapter 8 Language and the Economy (pages 147–166): Chapter 9 Language and the Media (pages 167–187): Chapter 10 Language and the Arts (pages 188–206): Chapter 11 Language, Diplomacy and Defence (pages 207–213): Chapter 12 Is Life Really Too Short to Learn German? (pages 214–222): 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.

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 "Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations looks at the everyday realities for people living in the '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."--Jacket Viv Edwards considers the perspectives of English as a global language as well as multilingualism as a social phenomenon. The book discusses the theoretical issues that underpin current debates