Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System

The Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System provides a comprehensive account of the English writing system, both in its current iteration and highlighting the developing trends that will influence its future. Twenty-nine chapters written by specialists from around the world cover core linguistic and psychological aspects, and also include areas from other disciplines such as typography and computer-mediated communication.Divided into five parts, the volume encompasses a wide range of approaches and addresses issues in the following areas:theory and the English writing system, discussing the effects of etymology and phonology;the history of the English writing system from its earliest development, including spelling, pronunciation and typography;the acquisition and teaching of writing, with discussions of literacy issues and dyslexia;English writing in use around the world, both in the UK and America, and also across Europe and Japan; computer-mediated communication and developments in writing online and on social media.The Routledge Handbook of the English Writing System is essential reading for researchers and postgraduate students working in this area.

"No longer in the shadows, the study of writing systems is drawing increasing interest among language researchers, as may be seen in this impressive collection by Vivian Cook and Des Ryan, which brings together insights by established and emerging scholars on a broad range of topics and approaches to the study of the English writing system, from its history and evolution, to its structure, processing, acquisition, and sociolinguistic aspects."Jyotsna Vaid, Texas A&M University, USA"The Handbook is an authoritative and comprehensive collection of a wide range of topics related to the English writing system. Written by a stellar cast of scholars, the volume for the first time brings together an amazing variety of approaches and topics, from theoretical to applied, from historical to futuristic, all presented in an accessible and fresh way. This unique and fascinating work will establish itself as an invaluable reference tool for researchers, teachers and postgraduate students, as well as a captivating read for anyone with an interest in the English writing system, for time to come."Benedetta Bassetti, University of Warwick, UK"This Handbook covers an extremely broad range of topics that are suitable both for beginning and more advanced students of language. It is extremely well written and organized. I recommend it enthusiastically."Zohar Eviatar, University of Haifa, Israel

Vivian Cook is Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at Newcastle University, UK, and founding co-editor of the journal Writing Systems Research. Des Ryan works at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.