English as a Global Language

1201 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Pros and cons english as lingua franca

Having a lingua franca is vital for communicating with people around the globe and would seem ideal, but what costs does it come with? Due to the United States power right now, it seems English is quickly filling this role. “Many would reasonably claim that, in the fields of business, academics, science, computing, education, transportation, politics and entertainment, English is already established as the de facto lingua franca” (Mastin, 2011). Of course with a lot of positivity, comes a lot of controversy.
A lingua franca literally means French language. It has now become the term used to indicate a universal, or global language. For people who don’t speak the same language, it is necessary to have a form of speech they can rely on the other individual knowing as well. “…over 80% of interactions in English worldwide are now estimated to be between non-native speakers” (Weil, 2011). When a language becomes a lingua franca, it goes through a simplification process so it is easier to learn and comprehend. (Zelander, 2006).
While simplifying a language does make learning a second language easier for adults, it loses many beautiful words and phrases. It is created solely to inform. This can also create a linguistic gap between native and non-native speakers, creating even more minorities (Zelander, 2006). Having the upper hand, native speakers will be able to access and regurgitate information quickly and really expand upon and express their thoughts easily.
People who speak different languages have terms that are important to their culture and daily life. If there is not a similar or equal counterpart for them in English, it is lost. While words are lost, eventually so are whole languages. They become more obsolete and eventual...

... middle of paper ...

...guage Is Hard to Learn." Plain Language Humor: Reasons Why The English Language Is Hard To Learn. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. .
Thredgold, Jeff. "English Increasingly Becoming An International Language." Enterprise/Salt Lake City 41.40 (2012): 12. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.
Weil, Markus. "Academia.edu - Share Research." English as a lingua franca in education. Academia, 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. .
Wheaton, Anne. "English as a Global Language." English on the Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. .
Zelander, Emilie. “English as a Global Language – Good or Bad?.” MittUniversite: Mid Sweden Univeristy. N.p., 2006 Web 13 Oct. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Our Native Tongue By Erdrich

    483 Words  | 1 Pages

    “Our Native Tongue” is a short article written by Nelson W. Aldrich. Jr, in February 2000. To begin the article Aldrich describes how privileged and grateful he is to know the English language. Aldrich says “I’d been born with a silver tongue in my mouth.” From this statement, readers can assume how amazing the English language is. Silver is an item most people value, Aldrich values English the way some would value silver. Aldrich also says because he knows the English language he has access to many opportunities, that others would have to pay for because they do not know the English language. The article also discusses the first global lingua franca. Lingua franca is “the language of science, business, political, and finical power, and English”. Lingua franca is also a diammoniate language that is accepted between speakers whose languages are different.

    Read More

  • Sign Language Case Study

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    As a result, this cross-national concept has implications on English and has fostered two additional terminology, World Englishes and World English.World Englishes refers to the different forms of localized variations of English outside of the United States of United Kingdom and is different from the idea of World English. This is related to Kachru’s concept of the circles of English, discussed later. World Englishes is the idea that different variations of English arise through various political and social influences. These language variations vary and in many instances acquire different meanings and lexicon. World English is the concept of English as a Lingua franca and used for global activities, such as business, diplomacy and trade. In this instance, English is following in a long line of global Lingua

    Read More

  • The United States Monolingual Language

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    We see this here on the 40 Acres: Students complain that foreign language classes are too hard and too time-consuming. This view, coupled with a wholly monolingual environment, pervades not only adults’ outlook on foreign language learning, but also that of children. Even children that are exposed to foreign languages in school are less likely to be motivated to learn them. In the last decade, there has been a growth in the number of dual language programs in the United States.

    Read More

  • Should America Speak More Than One Language Essay

    490 Words  | 1 Pages

    Thus, speaking multiple languages would promote peaceful and harmonious situations, especially for English-language learners, and totally free the American people to assimilates more cost-efficiently in the nation. Next, if the people in America can speak more than one language, they have inadvertently enhanced their inter-linguistic communications process in the twenty-first century of the digital age. More academic aspirations and career opportunities would be available and social networking media becomes the process to channel in language differences, via Google-translate.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Language As A Global Language

    1004 Words  | 3 Pages

    Linguists argues whether the simplicity of the English language is the main reason of it becoming

    Read More

  • Synthesis Essay English

    512 Words  | 2 Pages

    The amount of people who learn how to speak English continues to grow because many look to English as a common business language. Non English speakers continue to learn multiple languages like English. While many believe that the popularity of English makes it unnecessary for native speakers to learn other languages, it actually leads English speakers to a disadvantage by not being able to connect culturally to others and the fact that multilingualism is not as popular as some think. Overall, language opens a new door into different cultures. The way language is used differs for every culture.

    Read More

  • Kachru’s Concentric Circles Model: Implications for English Language Teaching in Expanding-Circle Countries

    1715 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...), 2012. Principles and Practices of Teaching English as an International language. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

    Read More

  • Globalization and English Language

    1708 Words  | 4 Pages

    This essay will discuss how the English language contributes to globalization. It also shows some problems that arise from this. Furthermore, we will give or suggest some solutions for these problems.

    Read More

  • Advantage Of Being Monolingual

    832 Words  | 2 Pages

    Actually, the majority of people in the world “speak 1.69 languages- not high enough to conclude that the average person is bilingual” (source C). Having the ability to communicate in one language can help others communicate in everyday life from walking through town and shopping to making deals in business. Having a society that is monolingual can improve economies and relations throughout the world. Also, there was a survey in 2007 to determine the number of 5 year olds and older who spoke a language other than English at home. Out of the 280,950,438 people, 225,505,953 of them spoke only English at home (source E). This means that again 20% of people spoke a language other than English at home. English is a popular language, not just in English speaking countries, but also in countries that it is not the primary language. As the world changes, English becomes more and more of a necessity for society to communicate. As time progresses, English may be the only language needed to communicate more for people around the world. Through the globalization of the English language, its effects would greatly improve society by shortening time lost in language barriers and improve understandings of

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On English As A Global Language

    1810 Words  | 4 Pages

    It has been adopted by different sectors making it one of the most used languages in the globe. This has been attributed to its effective nature, easy learning and rich history. However, conservative groups exist who argues that there should be global language since it may cause the emergence of superior cultures. Nevertheless, it is evident that different cultures ranging from the early polish immigrants, the African American community, the advertising and media will greatly benefit from the globalization of the English language. This will prove in the end that English is indeed a global

    Read More

  • The Spread Of English Language: The Expread Of The British Empire

    1267 Words  | 3 Pages

    It has led to the development of new dialects and modification of existing ones. The British Empire has been able to spread the language across the globe and to date it is the most widespread language and most used in foreign transactions. Currently, the population of non- native English speakers is higher than native English speakers. This is a clear indication that English has become an international language.

    Read More

  • Languages: Lingua Franca

    1313 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...nology is moving ahead at the speed of light. With all this advancement comes the inevitable need for a language that unifies the world. The need for a common language to conduct our business and economic affairs, and our need to communicate internationally on political and world interventions has made English the leader in world languages. It is not the language spoken first by most, but it the language that the world uses when it comes together to communicate.

    Read More

  • Importance Of English As A Global Language Essay

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    English spreads widely in each countries, no matter the area of region or information transfer, English becomes an important position in global language. As the specification of a global language, it essentially refers to a language that learned and spoken internationally, so English can be the most out-standing. According to the number of English-speaking calculations, English is the official language used by most countries, English is the most widely used second language in the world, and the percentage of web pages with English content is estimated to be over 50% (Crystal, 2003). Meanwhile, the history and usefulness cause English to be a global language, and they mainly influence to spread English faster in China and to bring convenience

    Read More

  • Global Language Analysis

    1659 Words  | 4 Pages

    The spread of English where it used as a foreign and/or a second language may be compromised if it is replaced by another language such as Chinese or Spanish. For example, if China continues to gradually dominate the world economically, politically and technologically, its language could replace English as the major foreign language taught and learnt in various countries’ education systems because they b...

    Read More

  • English as a Global Language

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the years English inarguably has reached a status of a global language and commonly is characterized as a lingua franca. It has become the language that is spoken by millions of people all over the world; as the mother tongue, as the language used for international communication and as the language learned in the millions of schools.

    Read More

More about English as a Global Language

Open Document