A NORTH academic has been given a leading award for her work on the global spread of English.

Dr Janina Brutt-Griffler, of York University's department of educational studies, has been honoured by the Modern Language Association (MLA) of America.

About half the world's population are expected to speak English by 2015.

Dr Brutt-Griffler has examined the complex use of the language across the world.

Her book, World English: A Study of its Development, has been awarded the MLA's annual Kenneth W Mildenberger Prize, given for work in language, culture, literacy, or literature linked to the teaching of languages.

Dr Brutt-Griffler will tomorrow receive $1,000, a certificate and a year's membership of the MLA during the association's annual convention in Philadelphia.