This book entitled "varieties of English - A Guide to World Englishes"
will be useful to M.A (English) students especially in the area of
Linguistics and post-graduate teachers. Modern English, sometimes
described as the first global lingua franca, is the dominant language or
in some instances even the required international language of
communications, science, information technology, business,
entertainment, radio and diplomacy. Its spread beyond the British Isles
began with the growth of the British Empire, and by the late 19th
century its reach was truly global. Following British colonisation from
the 16th to 19th centuries, it became the dominant language in the
United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A working knowledge of
English has become a requirement in a number of fields, occupations and
professions such as medicine and computing; as a consequence over a
billion people speak English to at least a basic level. It is one of six
official languages of the United Nations. One impact of the growth of
English is the reduction of native linguistic diversity in many parts of
the world. Its influence continues to play an important role in language
attrition.