Journal of Language and Linguistics Volume 1 Number 2 2002 ISSN 1475 - 8989

The fourth edition of International English is a new face for a familiar and trusted work. The book, which has become a standard for the area and a staple of student reading lists, is now available in its 2002 incarnation.

A new chapter on Caribbean English fills a gap in earlier editions, and is the most striking change for the fourth edition. In addition there is new material on 'lesser known Englishes' from the Channel Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Namibia. The focus of the book remains the Englishes of Britain and North America.

The style throughout is accessible to the general reader with an interest in the English Language, though knowledge of the phonemic alphabet is certainly advantageous. The book is at a level which advanced learners of English as a Foreign Language should find within their capabilities.

Peter Trudgill and Jean Hannah state that almost all the Englishes described have been observed by them. This personal knowledge of the subject shows in the freshness and immediacy of the style. The book may be read with enjoyment.

The bibliography contains no item later than 1997, and even coverage of the early and mid 1990s is somewhat scant. No reference is made to on-line sources. The fourth edition appears more as a widening of scope of previous editions than as an effort to bring a study on the varieties of English up-to-date. More could be said on the many second language varieties of English, while the impact of the internet on English varieties needs to be considered.

These reservations aside this edition is one which students and lecturers should have on their shelf.

Graeme Davis
University of Northumbria, UK