The Cultural Politics of English As an International Language (Language in Social Life) (Paperback)

~ Alastair Pennycook (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a timely and thought-provoking contribution to the current discussion on the position of English in the world." Discourse & Society

Product Description

Covering a wide range of areas including international politics, colonial history, critical pedagogy, postcolonial literature and applied linguitics, this book examines ways to understand the cultural and political implications of the global spread of English. Firstly, it explores how a particular view of English as an international language has come into being by examining its colonial origins, its connections to linguistics and applied linguistics, and its relationships to the global spread of teaching practices. It then offers an alternative, critical understanding through the concept of the 'worldliness' of English. This concept suggests that English can never be removed from the social, cultural, economic or political contexts in which it is used.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582234727
• ISBN-13: 978-0582234727
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,666,529 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #95 in

  Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > English (Specific Aspects)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a solid evaluation of English as a world language, July 9, 2000

By	"daniel_sp" (Vienna, Vienna Austria (E.U.)) - See all my reviews

Similar to Phillipson's linguistic imperialism this book critically deals with the world-wide spread of English. Altough Pennycook overplays the dangers of English a bit he is far less idelogical than Phillipson. Contrary to Phillipson he also offer an interestign solution which is that teachers of English have to deal critically with this phenomenon. He refers to this as critical pedagogy. This book is highly recommended for any discussion about international English!