From the Book - First edition.
Introduction: disciplines, perspectives, debates, and overview. How different disciplines tell the history of English ; An introduction to language history ; Debates about modern history ; Overview
The language of the British Isles. Invaders ; Modern English ; English in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland ; Conclusion
The language of North America. Colonial beginnings ; Expansion and assimilation ; Persistence of other languages and bilingualism
English in Imperial Asia and Africa. British colonies in Asia ; British colonies in Africa ; American colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific
Cultural worlds. International relations ; Scientific English ; Business English ; Global English literature ; Popular culture: rap and Mac
Tipping points. The world wide web ; Soviet disintegration ; China tips Asia ; The global academic language ; Conclusion.
