English Language: The Basics

Philip Seargeant is Professor of Language and Communication at the Open University, where he teaches and researches language and communication. He is the author of The Future of Language (2023) and Exploring World Englishes (with Pan Lin, 2026), and co-editor of English in the World (2013), The Routledge Handbook of English Language Studies (2018), and The Routledge Handbook of Discourse and Disinformation (2023). He is currently academic consultant for BBC Radio 4’s Word of Mouth programme, and is a frequent contributor to publications such as Wired, The New Statesman, The New European and Prospect.

• IllustrationsChapter 1: LanguageChapter 2: OldChapter 3: MiddleChapter 4: StandardChapter 5: GlobalChapter 6: Identity & PoliticsChapter 7: TechnologyFurther ReadingNotesIndex

'Philip Seargeant does a terrific job in English Language: The Basics, making complex ideas clear, using fascinating current and historical examples of language in use and attitudes to language. This is a really excellent, must-have book for A Level students, their teachers and the general reader too!'Barbara Bleiman, Education Consultant at the English and Media Centre and Co-Editor of emagazine