This episode explores how English has travelled far beyond its geographical origins, transforming into a richly varied global phenomenon. We examine key theoretical frameworks such as Braj Kachru’s Three Circles Model and Edgar Schneider’s Dynamic Model, which together illuminate how new Englishes emerge, localise, stabilise, and gain legitimacy in postcolonial and multilingual contexts. The conversation also considers English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), foregrounding the real priorities of international communication—mutual intelligibility, pragmatic clarity, and cooperation—rather than strict allegiance to native-speaker norms.

Beyond the structural and historical dimensions, this episode confronts the sociopolitical realities of English: how linguistic hierarchies influence identity, power, academic publishing, and access to knowledge. We discuss questions of linguistic justice, the implicit biases that affect non-native scholars, and the ethical responsibilities of global academia. The episode closes with an engaging look at bilingualism and bicultural identity, including research on Cantonese–English speakers that demonstrates how code-switching can reflect confidence, fluid identity, and cultural belonging.