English as the Global Language

Over the past few decades, English has become a more widely used language for conversation on a global scale.

Since English is the most widely spoken language in the world, it serves as the best medium for international contact. (Nunan 2001, p. 605). The colonialism of English-speaking British territories is primarily responsible for the spread of English as a world language. The development of technology and medicine, as well as foreign trade and education, all heavily rely on English. English, however, also poses a threat to other minor languages that are not extensively used around the globe. Although the adoption of English as a global language threatens the existence and use of other minor languages that are not widely spoken in the world. Although the adoption of English as a global language threatens the existence and use of other languages, the benefits it has are by far more than the risks.

Benefits of English as a Global Language

English is by far the most important language globally being the commonly used language by many people in the world. English has various benefits being a global language one being the role it plays in the field of international business and trade. English is very important in international business because business people from all corners of the world can transact businesses effectively through a common language that they can all understand (Crystal 2003, p. 233). People are able to travel anywhere in the world and share innovative ideas with different people while communicating in English. Secondly, English is very important as a global language in the field of medicine. Doctors from all the parts of the world can communicate through a common language which would otherwise be catastrophic. Patients are also free to move from one country to another in search for medical assistance as they can freely communicate in English anywhere around the world (Ammon 2001, p. 54).

English is also important for media platforms.

Journalists for instance, are in a position to collect information and keep their fellow citizens informed on the occurrences in other countries. Moreover, through social media platforms like Facebook, individuals are able to connect with people from other countries through English. Another benefit of English as a global language is that it helps individuals acquire more knowledge through the internet. Since most internet sites use English language, people from all over the world with English proficiency skills, are privileged to increase their knowledge on various issues using information from these sites. English is also very important for international studies (Crystal 2012, p.11). Students from all the corners of the world are privileged to take there university studies in any English speaking- university of their choice in the world. Students are also able to read fictional works as they are commonly written in English.

Effects of the Spread of English on Other Languages

When the language of a dominant nation such as English is introduced in a minority society, the less powerful people perceive the new language more prestigious than their indigenous language and as a result gradually turn bilingual. With time, the people abandon their native language rendering it extinct. The spread and growth of English as a global language has contributed to the extinction of many minor languages in the world. For example, most of the Native American Languages were gradually replaced by superior languages like English mainly due to colonialism, economic development and cultural globalization (Krauss 1992, p. 7). Additionally, the spread of English as a global language has resulted to death of Latin language. Although it has some people speaking it, Latin is considered a dead language since it is not used by anyone in the world as their native language (Crystal 2000, p.12). Those who speak Latin are the people who have learnt it as their second language their native language being English.

Threats English Poses To Different Languages

Although English dominance as a global language poses threats to other languages, the threats are not usually equal. The languages that are at the risk of facing extinction due to English dominance are majorly the minority languages used by small populations of people. However, the effects felt by these people are completely different from one another. Some languages may experience extinction while others experience a mere language shift. Extinction of indigenous languages may be due to peoples’ love of English hence killing their indigenous languages. However, some languages like Mandarin do not face any threats from the dominance of English as a global language because Mandarin is increasingly being learnt in many countries. The attractiveness of Mandarin by learners across the world is increasing and therefore, the Chinese government is very active in supporting the interest among people to learn Mandarin as a second language (Graddol 1997, p. 40). Unlike other endangered minor languages, Mandarin is gradually growing to be a superior language just like English and therefore not threatened by English dominance.

Importance of retaining other languages

While adoption of English language is important, retaining indigenous languages by its native speakers is also of much importance. The spread and dominance of English as a global language has not only affected other minority languages but also their culture since language is not only a means of communication but also a carrier of peoples’ culture and their sense of identity. Native languages help individuals identify themselves as members of a certain society. Therefore, a person who is able to fluently communicate with their kinsmen in their native language is connected to his/her ethnic group by language. Moreover, ability to communicate in ones’ native language helps a person acquire knowledge of his/her culture since cultural heritage and knowledge is passed on from one generation to another by language (Holiday, Hyde and Kullman 2004, p. 71).

Indigenous languages are also essential for translators.

People often require some information from an indigenous language they do not speak translated to them. Therefore, it is important to keep track of ones’ native language as well as the current changes such as new word meanings so that one can help in translating the information when necessary. With the role played by native languages, people should be keen to ensure that they do not neglect their native languages at the expense of English. Native languages are also important as they have a variety of vocabulary that people can use to express their feelings and emotions. Unlike the native speakers of English, people who use English as their second language have a fixed vocabulary for expressing their feelings (Dalby 2003, p. 145).

Threats of Other English Varieties on Other Languages

The recognition and official status of other varieties of English like American English, Canadian English, Australian English, Nigerian English, African English and many others pose a greater threat to other indigenous languages. These varieties are more dangerous to the existence of indigenous languages since they are the commonly used dialects all over the world. For instance in Nigeria, Nigerian English is used by the natives and therefore the threats of language loss of their native language are not any less dangerous. In schools, students are taught the English variety common in their country and so the variety becomes the generally used language in the country making Standard English less effective (Seidlhofer 2005, p.339). Moreover teachers of English in different countries tend to teach English with less sensitivity to the English variety used and therefore the students adopt the variety taught to them considering that the assessment do not also measure the use of standard English.

Conclusion

From the discussion, it is very clear that English is very important for communication as a global language. However, it exposes other minor languages to the risk of dying and becoming extinct as people gradually adopt English. Native languages should be protected as they help people preserve their sense of identity and belonging (Graddol 1997, p. 72). To avoid language extinction of indigenous languages, the native speakers of the language should ensure that they do not neglect their native language at the expense of English.

References

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Ammon, U. ed., (2001). The dominance of English as a language of science: Effects on other languages and language communities (Vol. 84). Walter de Gruyter.

Crystal, D. (2000). Language death. New York, NY, Cambridge University Press.

Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language. Cambridge [u.a.], Cambridge Univ. Press.

Crystal, D., (2012). English as a global language. Cambridge University Press.

Dalby, A. (2003). Language in danger : the loss of linguistic diversity and the threat to our future. New York, Columbia University Press.

Graddol, D. (1997). The future of English? a guide to forecasting the popularity of the English language in the 21st century. London, Glenton Press.

Holiday, A., Hyde, M. and Kullman, J., (2004). Intercultural communication.

Krauss, M., (1992). The world’s languages in crisis. Language, 68(1), pp.4-10.

Nunan, D., (2001). English as a global language. TESOL quarterly, 35(4), pp.605-606.

Seidlhofer, B., (2005). English as a lingua franca. ELT journal, 59(4), p.339.