Is English a Global Language?

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Recommended: Pros and cons of English being a main language

English is the Global Language of today. There is great controversy circumventing this view. Although there are positive outcomes, the negatives outbalance them to some extent as it means that many languages will die out as a result. As a global lingua franca, English has the puissance to enhance communication between individuals, being particularly favourable and propitious in the area of economics and trade. Despite this, it has persistently been the substratum for the death of numerous other languages, consequently posing a threat to identity, and the value of language and culture.

English is the only Global Language and other languages cannot compete with it. Thus, many languages will die out. Although associated with this are negative factors, there are positive ones also. The English language is recognised by people all over the world and spoken by many. In a number of countries, it is edified as a second language. By having only one international language with no other languages alive, communication will be more efficacious and free of misunderstandings and mistranslations as everyone will be able to effectively understand each other. Crystal argues, “perhaps a global language will…make all other languages unnecessary. A person needs only one language to talk to someone else” (2003, Pg.15). With the English language becoming increasingly employed by people throughout the world, other languages are being spoken less and will eventually cease to exist as English has dominated the globe on such a prodigious scale that there will be no need for other languages as every one will communicate in English. This is assenting in the sense that if an individual travels to a foreign country, they will be able to communicate with the n...

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...be strong enough to prevent it. Children in school who are educated in English, which is not their first language, may speak it around the house and to their family who may not understand English to the same extent. Ultimately, it may slowly result in loss of language and culture.

English is the Global Language of today. There is great controversy circumventing this view. Although there are positive outcomes, the negatives outbalance them to some extent as it means that many languages will die out as a result. As a global lingua franca, English has the puissance to enhance communication between individuals, being particularly favourable and propitious in the area of economics and trade. Despite this, it has persistently been the substratum for the death of numerous other languages, consequently posing a threat to identity, and the value of language and culture.

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