David Graddol (1953 - 1 March 2019) was a British
linguist
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguis ...
who worked in
applied linguistics
Applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary field which identifies, investigates, and offers solutions to language-related real-life problems. Some of the academic fields related to applied linguistics are education, psychology, communication rese ...
,
discourse analysis
Discourse analysis (DA), or discourse studies, is an approach to the analysis of written, vocal, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic event.
The objects of discourse Analysis (discourse, writing, conversation, communicative event) ...
,
sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics is the descriptive study of the effect of any or all aspects of society, including cultural Norm (sociology), norms, expectations, and context (language use), context, on the way language is used, and society's effect on languag ...
, and history of linguistics. He died on 1 March 2019.
Research interest
He was perhaps best known for his 1997 book ''The future of English?'', published by the
British Council
The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language (and the Welsh lan ...
, in which he offers scenarios for how English as a
world language
In sociolinguistics, a world language (sometimes global language, rarely international language) is a language that is geographically widespread and makes it possible for members of different language communities to communicate. The term may also b ...
may develop. Most notably, he pointed out that native speakers of English were or would soon be outnumbered by those who speak English as a second or foreign language. In an article that focuses more specifically on this issue, he stated the following:
Graddol's views about English as a world language are similar to, though not identical with, those held by his linguist colleague
David Crystal
David Crystal, (born 6 July 1941) is a British linguist, academic, and prolific author best known for his works on linguistics and the English language.
Family
Crystal was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on 6 July 1941 after his mother had ...
.
Career
He graduated from the
University of York with a BA in Language and Linguistics in 1975, also in Sociology in 1983.
He earned his PhD from the
University of Stockholm
Stockholm University ( sv, Stockholms universitet) is a public research university in Stockholm, Sweden, founded as a college in 1878, with university status since 1960. With over 33,000 students at four different faculties: law, humanities, soci ...
.
Personal life
He married Margaret Keeton and they have had triplet daughters.
References
Works (selected)
* Graddol, David (1997). ''The future of English? A guide to forecasting the popularity of the English language in the 21st century.'' London: British Council. Available for free from the website of the British Counci
* Graddol, David (1999). The decline of the native speaker. In Graddol, David/Meinhof, Ulrike (eds.). ''English in a Changing World. AILA Review'' 13, 57–68.
* Graddol, David (2006). ''English Next.'' London: British Council. Available for free from the website of the British Counci
Linguists from the United Kingdom
1953 births
Applied linguists
Living people
Alumni of the University of York
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