Functional Variations in English: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Challenges

This volume is a compilation of 21 distinguished chapters, an Introduction, and an Afterword with a thematic focus on the functional variations of English in non-native contexts. Highly acclaimed scholars in the field of (applied) linguistics, bringing their expertise from the core areas of general linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, educational linguistics, and stylistics, address the ways in which English language varies in different contexts. The contributions carefully examine the variations, the complexities and the concerns arising thereof, and explore the resultant pedagogical implications. The volume, in this respect, contributes to an informed process for policy decisions, curriculum design, material development, and most importantly classroom practices based on the ability, feasibility and desirability of English for the users, as a step towards nurturing globally-minded, globally-competent, and globally-functioning individuals.

Taking the deliberations through and beyond Kachru’s world Englishes model of three circles, this book is an attempt to:

• See what the users of English ‘do’ or ‘do not do’ with the language, rather than ‘where’ they come from
• Create a flexible mindset to enable acceptance and respect for linguistic variations in English usage
• Promote practical abilities for language and ‘communication management’
• Facilitate informed pedagogical practices based on global realities

Ram A. Giri, PhD, an academic staff at Monash University, English Language Centre, Melbourne, teaches and researches issues related to ELICOS courses, TESOL, language testing, and language (education) policy. In his extensive career spreading over Nepal and Australia, he has published in international journals, written book chapters and published edited books. He is editor-in-chief of Journal of NELTA and sub-editor of TESL-EJ.

Anamika Sharma is a researcher and teacher of applied linguistics at the Monash University English Language Centre. With PhD in applied linguistics, her research interests include: Indian English, world Englishes, cognitive linguistics, and educational linguistics. Along with the articles, her contributions include a Dictionary of Asian Englishes (Indian English) and two audio-visual projects on Indian English for Japanese business people.

James D’Angelo, PhD is a professor in the School of Global Studies at Chukyo University, and Chair of the all-EMI Global Liberal Studies Major. He is editor-in-chief of the Taylor & Francis journal Asian Englishes, and on the editorial advisory board of the Routledge book series Advances in Teaching English as an International Language. He has published in World Englishes, English World-Wide, Asian Studies Review, and a range of edited book collections.