This book presents an account of the rise of English as a global language and explores the history, current status, and future potential of English as the international language of communication. Five chapters focus on the following: (1) "Why a Global Language?" (e.g., what a global language is, what makes a language global, and why a global language is needed); (2) "Why English? The Historical Account" (origins, America, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South Asia, former colonial Africa, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and a world view); (3) "Why English? The Cultural Foundation" (e.g., political developments and access to knowledge); (4) "Why English? The Cultural Legacy (e.g., international relations, the media, international travel and safety, education, and communications); and (5) "The Future of Global English" (e.g., the rejection of English, contrasting attitudes, new Englishes, the future of English as a world language, and an English family of languages). (Contains approximately 200 references.) (SM)