What is the real status of English in the world, and in South Africa in particular? South Africa has eleven official languages, and purports to uphold equal rights for all. However, English continues to wield immense official and unofficial power.

Many English second- or additional-language speakers in South Africa are sacrificing or 'diluting' their primary languages and cultures in the quest to take up and use the power of a world language.

English In Perspective uses a wealth of local texts to explore how English is spoken and written. It questions the dominance of English and wrestles with some of the complexities arising from language use and change in a multilingual society.

In a systematic and analytical approach to the study of South African English discourse, English In Perspective:

• introduces the theory and practice of English through the exclusive use of South African texts, thus providing only relevant learning and teaching material
• provides a series of practical and imaginative examples and exercises that bring theory to life, and help familiarize students with new language concepts
• provides a participatory glossary, and a suggested set of answers to activities, so that students may mark their own work, and consolidate and revise the text
• heightens awareness of different types of discourse, and develops sensitivity towards the varieties of language required in specific situations
• develops reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, and
• increases tolerance and respect for linguistic diversity, and develops the recognition of the equality of all languages, and the rights of all language speakers.