Bad English investigates the impact of increasing language diversity, precipitated by migration, globalisation, and new forms of communication, in transforming contemporary literature in Britain. Considering writers whose work engages experimentally, playfully, and ambivalently with English's power, while exploring what it means to move between forms of language, it makes the case for literature as the pre-eminent medium to probe the terms of linguistic belonging, and for a diverse and growing field of writing in Britain defined by its inside/outside relationship to English in its institutionalised forms.

Bad English offers innovative readings of writers including James Kelman, Tom Leonard, Suhayl Saadi, Raman Mundair, Daljit Nagra, Xiaolu Guo, Leila Aboulela, Brian Chikwava, and Caroline Bergvall. Drawing on insights from applied linguistics and translation studies as well as literary scholarship, it will appeal to students and academics across these disciplines.

About the Author
Rachael Gilmour is Professor of Contemporary Literature and Postcolonial Studies at Queen Mary University of London

Reviews

'Bad English is a refreshing and valuable account of creativity in the study of language. It may position itself as primarily enriching literary scholarship, but it is also of clear value to Applied Linguistics.'
Key Words: A Journal of Cultural Materialism

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Book Information
ISBN 9781526163820
Author Rachael Gilmour
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publisher Manchester University Press
Weight(grams) 345g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 16mm