World Englishes

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of when and how academic interest developed around EIW during the 1970s and 1980s, when much of the debate was centred upon the necessity to break away from traditional purist, monolithic and Anglo-centric views of English towards broader perspectives which would recognise not only the existence but also the dignity and validity of different varieties of English around the world, including non-native ones. This movement can be characterised as revolutionary, especially since it openly opposed what were regarded as well-established positions. A major role in initiating this academic discussion was played by Braj Kachru who, with his book The Alchemy of English (1986), laid out the foundations of the World Englishes (WE) school of thought.

Joebell smile, because if is one gift he have it is to talk languages, not Spanish and French and Italian and such, but he could talk English and American and Grenadian and Jamaican; …

—Earl Lovelace, ‘Joebell and America’