The Outer and Expanding Circles in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Abstract This chapter offers a historical overview of Southeast Asia focused on aspects from precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial history that are relevant to the accurate description and modelling of Englishes in the region. In this context, the adequacy of the concepts of the Outer and Expanding Circles for the region are placed under scrutiny and contrasted with the additions provided by more recent models including the Dynamic Model, the Extra- and Intra-territorial Forces model, and the World System of Englishes. The conclusions drawn from this survey recognize that the Outer and Expanding Circles are important concepts which, however, are not sufficient on their own to account for the linguistic realities prevalent in the region. As such, they need to be supplemented by elements from these newer models.