A WORLD OF ENGLISHES

World Englishes is a term for the many varieties of English used around the world today. People who speak different kinds of English can generally understand each other. However, there are often differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and pragmatics (how language is used in a specific context).

The global spread of English has been in waves. The first wave was when native speakers from the United Kingdom took English to the "new world" of North America, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Together, these countries form what is called the "inner circle". In those places, English is a native language and the primary language of the majority of the population. Historically, the inner-circle countries provided the norms, or rules, of the English language.

The second wave was the result of colonization in Asia, Africa, and parts of the Caribbean. This led to the "outer circle" of countries where English was imposed by colonizers. Today, English may still be an official language, but it is often a second language. It often serves as a "lingua franca." That means English is the common language that links groups of people who speak different languages. Historically, the outer-circle countries have been considered "norm-developing". This means they are continuing to change the language to fit their needs. This can lead to some interesting exceptions to English of inner-circle countries.

Nowadays, the internet -- and globalization in general -- has led to a third wave. It's called the "expanding circle" of English speakers. In these places, English is primarily a foreign language. It has no significant historical or governmental role aside from international communication. Interestingly, the expanding circle countries still generally rely on the norms of the native speakers in the inner circle.

ESOL students in the United States often focus on a North American standard of English that is supported by Western European and North American literature and culture. This anthology, however, features short stories specifically from outer-circle countries as a way to expand our thinking about language, literature, and culture. These stories are not translated from a foreign language. They are written originally in English by English-speaking authors in countries where English is an official language or a lingua franca. Each story has its own defining features in the way its characters talk and act, and the way the author conveys their message about our cultural differences and our shared humanity. This anthology is testament to Braj Kachru's maxim, "English belongs to all who use it, however they use it."

REFLECT: In your opinion, what will happen to languages -- and literature -- in the future?