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L.A. Hill’s ‘neutral English’ – a historical counterpoint to ELF
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Lowe, Robert J. and Smith, Richard (2020) L.A. Hill’s ‘neutral English’ – a historical counterpoint to ELF. ELT Journal, 74 (1). pp. 20-28. doi:10.1093/elt/ccz054 ISSN 0951-0893.
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccz054
Abstract
The concept of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is the subject of much theoretical discussion and debate within ELT. However, little has been written concerning the history of ideas preceding it. This article discusses the concept of ‘neutral English’ proposed in 1967 by the writer L.A. Hill. After summarizing Hill’s life and work, the article explores his idea for neutral English, noting its apparent similarities to modern ELF theory as well as the historical and contextual factors which distinguish it. Using Hill’s work and stated motivations as a lens through which to view modern theory, the article highlights the possibility that apparently radical ideas can be co-opted to ‘centre’ interests in modern global ELT. Finally, it is proposed that more work into the history of conceptualizations of international English use would shed further light on the academic and political forces which intersect with this area of research.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Applied Linguistics | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | ELT Journal | ||||||||
Publisher: | Oxford University Press | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0951-0893 | ||||||||
Official Date: | January 2020 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 74 | ||||||||
Number: | 1 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 20-28 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1093/elt/ccz054 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): | This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in ELT Journal following peer review. The version of record Robert J Lowe, Richard Smith, L. A. Hill’s ‘neutral English’—a historical counterpoint to ELF, ELT Journal, , ccz054, is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccz054 | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 12 November 2019 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 21 December 2021 | ||||||||
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