A collection of studies on the role of English in German-speaking countries, covering a broad range of topics.

The Position of the German Language in the World focuses on the global position of German and the factors which work towards sustaining its use and utility for international communication. From the perspective of the global language constellation, the detailed data analysis of this substantial research project depicts German as an example of a second-rank language. The book also provides a model for analysis and description of international languages other than English. It offers a framework for strengthening the position of languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish and others and for countering exaggerated claims about the global monopoly position of English. This comprehensive handbook of the state of the German language in the world was originally published in 2015 by Walter de Gruyter in German and has been critically acclaimed. Suitable for scholars and researchers of the German language, the handbook shows in detail how intricately and thoroughly German and other second-rank languages are tied up with a great number of societies and how these statistics support or weaken the languages’ functions and maintenance.

Recent sociopolitical events have profoundly changed the status and functions of German and influenced its usage. In this study (published by Cambridge in 1984) Michael Clyne revises and expands his original analysis of the German language in Language and Society in the German-speaking Countries in the light of such changes as the end of the Cold War, German unification, the redrawing of the map of Europe, increasing European integration, and the changing self-images of Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. His discussion includes the differences in the form, function and status of the various national varieties of German; the relation between standard and non-standard varieties; gender, generational and political variation; Anglo-American influence on German; and the convergence of east and west. The result is a wide-ranging exploration of language and society in the German-speaking countries, all of which have problems or dilemmas concerning nationhood or ethnicity which are language-related and/or language-marked.

Germany is a Western European country with a rich and varied history, diverse culture, and vibrant economy. It is home to over 83 million people, making it the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany’s capital city is Berlin, and its other major cities include Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Frankfurt. Germany has a highly industrialized economy, with a strong focus on the manufacturing and export sectors. It is a leading producer of cars, machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, among other products. Germany has a long and complex history, with many notable achievements and darker periods. It is known for its significant contributions to the fields of philosophy, literature, music, and science, including the work of notable figures such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Albert Einstein. However, Germany is also remembered for its role in World War II and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Today, Germany is a stable democracy and a leading member state of the European Union, with a commitment to fostering international cooperation and upholding human rights.

An examination of the various different expressions of the distinctive German 'myth of the East' that has been such a marked feature of German culture over the last two centuries, influencing German attitudes both to Eastern Europe itself and also to Germans' own sense of identity.

The most accessible, well-balanced history of the German language available! No comparable work is available in English or German that gives readers an adequate foundation in the methods, goals, and results of historical-comparative linguistics as they apply to the German language and its historical antecedents. Waterman’s monograph excels through its clear presentation of materials, the extensive use of charts and maps, and a well-organized bibliography. A wealth of examples documents a surprisingly broad review of German language issues.