Whose Language Is English?

“Whose Language Is English? by Jieun Kiaer masterfully unravels the complex evolution of the English language, illuminating its global journey through empire, multiculturalism, and digital transformation. A compelling read that enriches our understanding of English’s dynamic identity and inclusivity. Essential for anyone fascinated by the power of language in shaping our world.”—Niki J. P. Alsford, University of Central Lancashire “The author combines research, personal episodes and forthright commentary to describe what’s happening to the English language in a globalizing, social media-driven world. A lively and insightful status-of-the-language report on 21st-century English.”—Choe Sang-Hun, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and Seoul bureau chief, New York Times “Jieun Kiaer has produced a conceptually original and empirically rich critique of the ownership of the English language in the post-multilingualism and trans-language era. Written in an engaging and lucid style, this thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the evolution and politics of English as a global language.”—Li Wei, University College London   “Jieun Kiaer’s humane analysis of global English proposes an exciting paradigm shift. Goodbye colonial export of the past; hello—or perhaps wagwan—to a new, inclusive, hybrid, and borderless language shared by multilingual speakers.”—Emma Smith, University of Oxford