This edited volume makes a valuable contribution to the burgeoning research field of English as a lingua franca. In a pioneering step, the collection is exclusively devoted to the English email discourse of Chinese speakers. The studies address innovative topics related to various contexts and relationships, using several different approaches and theories, which taken together shed light on how English serves as a lingua franca in multiple types of global written communication. The research topics presented are organized into four thematic sections, including emails from students to professors, emails from students to the international academic community, emails from peer to peer, and emails at the workplace.
This collection of empirical research invites readers to consider the special features of apologies, requests, terms of address, politeness, and discourse organization, and how cultural differences may affect the use or interpretation of each. Throughout the book, readers will also discover how Chinese speakers use special features and strategies to construct their identity, establish relationships, and achieve successful communication in English. This highly informative, thought-provoking book also provides insights on methods for teaching email discourse using English as a lingua franca and suggests directions for future research.
Yuan-shan Chen has been involved in language teaching for many years. Her research interests primarily lie in the areas of interlanguage pragmatics and L2 writing research. She teaches as an associate professor at the Department of Applied English, National Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan. Her recent publications include articles in Journal of Pragmatics, Language Teaching Research, System, and Language and Linguistics. Email: yuanshan@ncut.edu.tw
Der-Hwa Victoria Rau is professor of linguistics at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. Her research interests include sociolinguistics, applied linguistics and Austronesian linguistics. In addition to her major works on Yami (Austronesian language) grammar, dictionary and textbooks, she has also produced a textbook on Research methodology in teaching Chinese as a second language. Email: lngrau@ccu.edu.tw
Gerald Rau teaches English Scientific and Engineering Writing at National Chung Cheng University Qing Jiang Learning Center in Taiwan. A semi-retired science teacher, he
has taught ESL students for many years, has edited numerous papers in the natural sciences, medicine, applied mathematics, engineering, and linguistics and is the author of Mapping the Origins Debate. Email: gerryrau@hotmail.com
