The English Languages

Jul 9, 2026

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The English Languages examines English as a plural and diverse system used by hundreds of millions worldwide, emphasizing that different “Englishes” have developed with distinct options and implications. It addresses discussions over the past two decades about the nature of English variation and considers whether English should be treated as a family of languages in its own right, comparable to the Romance languages. Written by Tom McArthur, it frames English diversity as a continuing, forward-looking phenomenon shaped by global use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages274

Reading Time7 h 2 min

The English Languages

English as a diverse system

English pluralism and “Englishes”

Author background and publications

# THE ENGLISH LANGUAGES TOM McARTHUR 研K:bntertainment.Guide to F # IHE PRAGUE AL-Ahram Weekly0LAJIEbacktrack on BosniaT BaM断La nnd7hrF位A-ant i Teho yACedbDBorder Pact Blockedma.ui n tng gobi snscB wofna Eana mha aa ryMečiar Rejects His President's AgreementnedihnCtInsideCinianscounterT 禁TROUBLESoposals herwhel __the tourist hoeja三Cmonumoy lusondonansthe industry yan加foriprak pirodfaga nTiyn aesau sonrepee5BANDONTE KTheSngrr Man avseplaims bw oe ofOnthecogntry's top rockgrPops.PMnoc,facedisbandmeMThe iKorle English Lunguge Monthly in FrunceLTY anKorea toreopenconsulate-generalKecoroerinHoCiMnhCrnr 19LRo a Ju.1993NEWChrF录768The M委Wrap Ai iel P e g Prara 2e Canto is an imprint offering a range of titles,classic and more recent,across a broad spec-trum of subject areas and interests.History,literature,biography,archaeology,politics,religion,psychology,philosophy,and scienceare all represented in Canto's speciallyselected list of titles,which now offers someof the best and most accessible of Cambridgepublishing to a wider readership. # The English Languages Hundreds of millions of people use English every day everywhere inthe world,but may or may not succeed in understanding each other.Despite the success of its standard form(or forms)in many countries,the complex called ‘English'is immensely diverse-probably morediverse than any single language has ever been -and is likely tobecome even more so in the next century.This book is a compellingand broad-ranging invitation to consider the variety,the options,andthe implications of this vast system.The English Languages looks at the‘pluralism'of English,especially the ‘Englishes'that have been dis-cussed in the last twenty years or so,and addresses the question ofwhether or not English can be considered a family of languages in itsown right,like the Romance languages. Tom McArthur studied at both Glasgow and Edinburgh universities.He is founder editor of the quarterly English Today:The InternationalReview of the English Language(Cambridge University Press,1984-)and of The Oxford Companion to the English Language(1992).He haspublished some 20 books on language,language teaching,lexicogra-phy,and Indian philosophy.A former Head of English at CathedralSchool,Bombay,and Associate Professor of English at the Universitédu Québec,he has since 1984 been an independent writer,editor,con-sultant,and broadcaster,and Honorary University Fellow at theDictionary Research Centre,the University of Exeter. The English Languages Tom McArthur PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGEThe Pitt Building,Trumpington Street,Cambridge CB21RP,United Kingdom CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS The Edinburgh Building,Cambridge CB22RU,United Kingdom40 West 20th Street,New York,NY 10011-4211,USA10 Stamford Road,Oakleigh,Melbourne 3166,Australia Cambridge University Press 1998 This book is in copyright.Subject to statutory exception andto the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,no reproduction of any part may take place withoutthe written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1998 Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press,Cambridge Typeset in 9.5pt/11.5pt Charter A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress cataloguing in publication data McArthur,Tom(Thomas Burns) The English languages/Tom McArthur p.cm.Includes index. ISBN0521485827(paperback)ISBN 0521481309(hardback) 1.English language-Variation-English-speaking countries. 2.English language-Variation-Foreign countries.3.Englishlanguage-Variation-Great Britain.4.Communication,International.I.Title.PE2751.M381998427-dc2197-42227 CIP ISBN 0521481309 hardbackISBN0521485827 paperback To Sidney Greenbaum(1929-1996),the first grammarian of International Standard English

FAQs

What is the main focus of The English Languages?

It focuses on the variety and pluralism of English worldwide, especially the different “Englishes” discussed over recent decades.

Does the book argue that English can be considered a language family?

Yes. It addresses the question of whether English can be treated as a family of languages, similar to the Romance languages.

Who is Tom McArthur in relation to the book?

Tom McArthur is the author, with academic and professional experience in English language studies, editing, consulting, and broadcasting.

Jul 9, 2026

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