The usage of English language by people is common in every part of the world. Nowadays there are lots of people interested in English reading and speaking. According to Hung (2009), the world was in need of a common language at the end of the 19th century to communicate and they believed that this common langurage should be among the natural languages that existed at that time. So among other languages English seemed to be more suited to the world language (Hung, 2009). Since English has now become the language of diplomacy, book, medicine, airport, science, sports and technology, it has achieved hegemony above the other languages. (Gaffey, 2005). Although nowadays people use English a lot in their daily life, some non-English speakers believe that speaking English can destroy their own language. Although some studies suggest that English has naturally spread and do not harm anyone, there is considerable evidence that shows spread of English was motivated by some western countries and created a linguistic imperialism that has affected the culture, identity and language of the non-English speaking countries. There is some evidence that suggest, English has spread naturally in the world and as a result it is now a ‘lingua franca’ the common language that everyone knows. English has made our life easier in many ways. Because the world was in need of a world language, it was spread naturally in the world. According to Hung (2009), English language does not undermine other languages. He states, English has joined the global community and it has introduced the culture and national identification of them to the whole people living on Earth. According to him, English language assists the people in the era of communication with... ... middle of paper ... ...erialism that is beneficial for some western countries but it is very harmful to some others. It harms the culture, language and identity of a country. Those who can speak English see those who cannot in a lower level. Especially one has to learn English in countries like India and Pakistan otherwise people will make fun of them. There is an Indian movie called “English Vinglish” which encourages people that if you don’t know English it is totally fine and we should not make fun of anyone. References Gaffey, E. (2005). Biting your tongue: Globalised power and the international language. 2(22). Hung, T. T. (2009). How the Global Spread of English can Enrich Rather than Engulf Our Culture and Identity. 13. Lin, H.-Y. (2013). Critical Perspectives on Global English: A Study of Their Implications. Spichtinger, D. (2003). The Spread of English and its Appropriation.
This leads to the negative viewpoint of cultural globalization, that “[it] can lead to a utopian world, [and] some believe it will cause less dominant cultures to be obliterated and economically developed cultures to prosper.” (Issit 1). Although the dominance of English allows for people to speak a common language many can understand, a downside would be losing knowledge of other cultures.
Today, 1.9 billion people speak the English language; more than one-third of humanity (U.S. Bureau of the Census). English is also the national language of many countries- countries with a multiple of different cultures- including India and several populous countries in Africa. People in those countries use English to conduct common and o...
Mollin, S., 2006. “English as a Lingua Franca: A New Variety in the New Expanding Circle?”, The Nordic Journal of English Studies 5(2), pp. 41-57. Available from
English has the power to make communication much easier across different countries that have different cultures, hence different languages. In same interview conducted by Seham Kawthar, the interviewee states that English is a way interact with other people from different countries which you don’t know their language. The reason why the interviewee learned English was because many people knew how to speak English. Knowing English, one can communicate with other people wherever they go because English is spoken in a lot of countries. In Dennis Baron’s article called “The Tongue Who Would Be King,” that was published in Science and Spirit Newspaper in the year 2011, English has an official status in few colonies such as Nigeria, India, and many more countries around the world. It is used as a third language in order for people to communicate with each other from different cultures (p. 32). This is true because it can be in many places. Many friends tend to communicate to each other because they don’t know each other’s languages. Having English as a global language would not require any translations, similar to the pre-Babel days, where everyone spoke one language (p. 32). When everyone knows one common language, it makes it much easier to speak to each other. English is said to make communication easier amongst people just like the Latin language once did (p.33). For instance, English is used to communicate between diplomats and politicians from different countries to come to terms and world
In class we spent time discussing the effects of use of English language on a global front. That is when I realized, that if English becomes the world speak; it may lead to appalling consequences. Hence I chose to write this written task, which mainly focuses on the repercussion of English as a global language.
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.
The purpose of this essay is to answer the question “Why is English the international language?”
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
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
Seargeant, P. (2012), 'English in the World Today' in Seargeant, P. and Swann, J (ed.) History, Diversity, Change (U214, English in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 5-47.
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.
A language with rather humble roots, one that has been twisted and bent, one that has taken and borrowed from other languages, and one that has been the subject of much debate as to the correctness of certain usages, today English is the language that the world uses to communicate. The world uses English for a variety of reasons from commerce and trade, to political decisions, to technology and science, and beyond. The entire world uses English to get business done. Thus it truly has become the lingua franca for the world.
It can be seen that English has become a global language, which is determined by lots of factors like history, culture and daily usefulness. Because of these factors, the number of people who speak English is still increasing now. English, as a significant part of social life gradually exerted profound impacts on education, job hunting and international communication. Also, it provides the whole world with a chance to share ideas and communicate freely. We are quite curious to see the further development of English as a lingua franca in the
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...
Even though there are advantages as well as disadvantages, the need for international language for communication, politics, economics and security is necessary and English is the best “language candidate” for that function. English is a language spread all over the world and it is used by millions and millions of speakers. According to my opinion, people should use English as a tool to communicate with all cultures but every country must keep their culture and language is a great part of it. In conclusion, language defines identity of a country and everyone should keep their language and explore others.