Introduction
This book explores some very recent trends in the use of English worldwide and its changing relationships with other languages. It builds on the analysis given in a report I wrote for the British Council in 1997 called The Future of English? The main findings of The Future of English? were:
» that the future development of English as a global language might be less straightforward than had been assumed
» that the global spread of English raised not just linguistic, educational and economic issues but also cultural, political and ethical ones
» that the key drivers of change were demographic, economic, technological and long-term trends in society
» that the relationship between English and globalisation was a complex one: economic globalisation encouraged the spread of English but the spread of English also encouraged globalisation
» that the growth of China would have a significant impact on the world in which English was used and learned
» that countries like India in which English is spoken extensively as a second language will play a major role in the development of global English.
