Beyond center and periphery: Plurality with inclusivity. Issue 3 (8th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hilgendorf, Suzanne K.
• Other Names: BOLTON KINGSLEY guestEditor.; DAVIS DANIEL R. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: World Englishes. Volume 37:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 472
• Page End: 483
• Publication Date: 2018-10-08
• Subjects: English language -- Foreign countries -- Periodicals; English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- Periodicals; English language -- Variation -- Periodicals; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; 428.2407
• DOI: 10.1111/weng.12335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-2919

Abstract

Abstract: This article considers the extraordinary contributions of Larry E. Smith to English Linguistics and Language Pedagogy over a career spanning more than 40 years. The discussion initially shares personal reflections on Larry as an exceptional colleague, mentor, and friend in the community of world Englishes (WE) scholars. In helping establish this field of study and co‐founding the journal World Englishes, Larry had a profound impact on innumerable researchers around the world. He further provided the International Association for World Englishes (IAWE) with invaluable leadership, marked by great integrity and a remarkable commitment to plurality and inclusion. The discussion next examines Larry's influential scholarship, focusing in particular on his paradigm of English as an International Auxiliary Language (EIAL), which recognized the broader social reality of English use around the world. The final section considers the legacy of Larry's work for future research, especially in light of critiques of the WE paradigm as marginalizing, arguing that it is necessary to critically address center‐periphery dynamics and tensions between extant English‐using speech communities. The article explores these center – periphery relationships, and revisits Kachru's (1990) Three Circles paradigm, which in fact recognizes plurality while simultaneously calling attention to those dynamics and tensions.