The Future of English in Asia: Perspectives on Language and Literature

This collection is unique in bringing together key thinkers on language and literature to discuss the future of English in Asia. Many of the contributors are themselves responsible for important sub-genres in English linguistics and literary studies and this collection gives them the opportunity to respond to each other directly. The different chapters also respond to different contemporary debates and emerging trends and discourses that are hugely important for the future of English language teaching in schools across Asia.

This volume is also ground-breaking in bringing English literary studies and Applied English Linguistics together in the contemporary Asian context. The Future of English in Asia includes studies on the following subject areas:

Cultural Translation in World Englishes, Multilingual Education, English Futures and the function of Literature, English Literary Studies in Japan, and English and Social Media in Asia. Well into this century, it appears that it is still very difficult to know what to expect when it comes to the future of English. The future of English will continue to be determined by complex local contexts. As it has in other parts of the world, the future of English in Asia will continue to rely on the proliferation of its transformations as much as its hegemonic status. This volume reflects the widespread acknowledgement that whatever future English has will inevitably be shaped by its fate in Asia.

The collection will be a welcome resource for scholars and students of English linguistics, English literary studies, and topics related to the teaching of English in Asia.

Michael O’Sullivan is Associate Professor of English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

David Huddart is Associate Professor of English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Carmen Lee is Associate Professor of English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.