An in-depth exploration of the sound systems of varieties of English
around the world, written by a renowned authority in the field
In Sounds of English Worldwide, Raymond Hickey delivers a rigorous
overview of the sound systems of varieties of English throughout the
world. Beginning with an overview of the history and contexts of global
varieties of English, this book guides readers through the spread of
English during the colonial era leading up to the present day. The
second section of the book broadly considers developments in the
English-speaking world, accounting for the factors that triggered
regional changes and resulted in diverse scenarios for English,
including language contact and shift, new dialect formation, and the use
of English in non-anglophone contexts.
To assist students in learning how to approach the study of varieties of
English, this valuable text addresses research questions of general
interest to linguists and explores a variety of fieldwork methods
commonly used by researchers in the area. This useful book offers:
- A thorough introduction to English today, including its geographical
and social distribution, focusing on variation and change around the
world
- Practical discussions of key changes in late modern English that
determined the unique phonetic profile of different varieties of the
language
- In-depth examination of present-day scenarios and how they might pan
out in the future development of English, considering the many factors
which may shape global forms of the language
- Includes useful summaries of varieties of English with a glossary and
timeline, providing a quick reference of the key features of English
around the world for students
- Considers research issues and methods to aid students in applying the
material of the book to their own studies
Perfect for graduate students, advanced undergraduate students, and
researchers studying varieties of Englishes, Sounds of English
Worldwide will earn a place in the libraries of linguists and students
studying Englishes worldwide from a sociolinguistic perspective as well
as langague contact, bilingualism, the rise of new varieties along with
English phonetics and phonology more generally.
