Setting out for a sociolinguistically oriented survey of English around the world, this book consists of 44 chapters, organized under 12 geographic sections which are the subject of an overview essay that surveys sociolinguistic research and outlines the sociolinguistic profile of English in the area under discussion. This profile may vary from native language to a range of standard and non-standard varieties, 'new' Englishes, pidgins and creoles. The overview essays are followed by some case studies.