English as a global language – 2nd edition – David Crystal
Chapter 1 summary
In why a Global Language, author David Crystal explains what a global language is, how English has become the global language of today, and also why it is important for the world to have a global language.
The article begins with David Crystal going explaining how English is the global language today. He explains how English is everywhere, it can be found all around the world, even headlines in other countries are written in English. From here David switches views and shows the reader that not everyone understands English, others all around the world, view English differently. English is not everyone’s first language and some even may feel threatened that
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In 2002 it remained high for European countries but fell to 29% in Britain. For this, some British companies miss export or import opportunities. These days schools in the UK and America are starting to study Spanish which is now growing faster than English.
The next section is about linguistic death. He asks here if a global language does grow and grow could it be possible that it wipes out minority or smaller languages. Already in some regions in the world local languages are being forgotten. Like in Brazil, parts of Africa, Asia and North America. People have predicted that in the next 50 years around 50% of the 6,000 languages may disappear. Losing a language is a tragedy. Especially when they have never been written down. The young people learn the global language and sometimes don’t even know anything in their native language. A cultures identity can be lost because of this. Maybe old folklore tales that were told in the native language but never translated and now maybe forgotten. In recent times though the emergence of English has seemed to have the opposite effect.
Countries are doing their best to hold onto their native language or in some cases trying to bring it back. Maori in New Zealand, Aboriginal in Australia, the Indian languages of Canada and the US and the Celtic languages (Ireland, Scotland and Wales). In the former Yugoslavia the
Global language just like an infectious disease. In the past, most of the countries have their own languages, language helps people to communicate with other. Today, English in order to become one of the major languages of the world, and even in some non-native English countries. People use English to do business, communicate, and employment. English is used to judge people education level. Internet and computer system are built by English. At this points, some people will not hesitate to say that English has become a global language, and they are right. When people went into a strange city hotel or a restaurant, the first thing is bilingual signs. English become global language because of high level education, language of electronic technology
Some people even believe that English is global language because 80% of the internet content uses the medium of English to communicate with the internet users and some other evidences. Although these arguments are valid, they don’t make English as the global language. In this article, Ms. Wallraff has responded to such people who are ignorant of the facts about universality of English language and have firm belief that English is
The way in which our world functions today is a result of colonialization. Language death and linguistic endangerment is woven with colonialization and the history of oppression toward indigenous communities. We cannot speak of language death without first acknowledging the speakers and the systematic oppression that indigenous communities continue struggling to resist. In present time language shifts due to economic incentive of hegemony and the mediating role of language ideologies are two of the most important causes of language death. Language shift and language ideologies that ultimately cause language death are current consequences of colonialization. The death of a language has both of linguistic and cultural consequences to the particular community affected and to the world’s diversity as a whole. Languages serve as carries of cultural knowledge, as identity and verbal art, hence when a language is lost cultural resources, identity and verbal art are lost.
Near the beginning of the article, Mydans mentions an argument made by Nicholas Ostler, the author of "Empires of the Word," in that English will rise to a certain point and then ultimately collapse, just as Latin did. Mydans later considers the argument Nerrière brings up in that English has too many words, and a simpler form must be created in order for there to be a true global language. Mydans points out these counterarguments as methods to emphasize that although there are doubts, English will and can overcome other languages in one way or another as the dominant language of the world. Some readers might think adding these counterarguments might hurt Mydans' case, but as a skilled writer, Mydans knows introducing these rebuttals will help accentuate his
With the globalization, the English Language became the main language of the communication in the world. In this perspective, Dennis Baron discusses in his article Who Owns Global English” the omnipresence and the prevalence of the English in today’s society. For Dennis Baron, English has become the key success in the world platform.
In a globalizing world, where language governs our society extensively the dominance of English has effects on linguistic and communicative inequality between native and non-native speakers (Tsuda, 1999). Research on globalisation argues strong evidence that English is the lingua franca or international language and communication of today. But to what extent has globalisation progressed through language? And how has this discourse been linked to provide social, economic, political and technological hegemony? The purpose of this essay is to critique the effects of globalisation on English lingua franca, with reference to international communication. It will identify the western influence of the sprawl of the English language in global markets and whether these enhance international processes. By comparing and contrasting the ideas from Martin Deway (2008) in ‘English as a Lingua Franca and Globalisation’ and Yukio Tsuda (1997) ‘The Hegemony of English and strategies for Linguistic Pluralism’, the critique will provide an analysis on the positive and negative implications that English has globalized through.
Dying languages, also known as endangered languages, are often times defined as languages that are, “likely to become extinct in the near future” (Woodbury). Dead languages have become extinct over time as cultures have evolved. Dying Celtic languages include but are not limited to Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Languages are used to communicate between a group of individuals in a common way. Without common language, communication would be extremely difficult, separating groups of people from one another. The reason people care so much about dying or dead languages is because language is a basic building block of culture. Without it, cultures couldn't thrive, and prosper. Many claim that they would prefer to not teach their children their native languages due to the poor treatment they received because of their culture associated with that language. Others would like to speak their native language with their children because it teaches them about the importance of their language within their cultures.
Language is one of the most significant developments of humans. It is one of the few means of communications which enclose a large number of beliefs, values, and methods to see the world in different perspectives. Peoples native languages are thought to be in danger when they do not speak their mother tongue in foreign countries. A mother tongue refers to a child’s first language and can be learned since birth. This mother language cannot be used often in foreign countries. As a result, significant numbers of languages are ceasing to pass from one generation to another. Cultural diversity and languages are essential assets of any nation, representing their identity across the world. The mother tongue is the language of the heart, of the emotions, of the warmth of the home, of the first important relationships. A "first" language that does not hinder subsequent learning but, on the contrary, opens to new languages. Thus, it is very important to conserve languages especially in foreign countries. This paper will explore how non-native languages in foreign countries are being threatened, why this is problematic, and why it’s crucially important to preserve such languages.
Language is one of the most significant developments of humans. It is one of the few means of communications which enclose a large number of beliefs, values and are provided paths to see the world in different perceptive. The languages are thought to be in danger when people do not speak their native languages or mother tongue in foreign countries. Mother’s tongue is a child’s first language and it can be learned since birth. This mother’s language cannot be used often in foreign countries. As a result, significant numbers of languages are ceasing to pass from one generation to another. Cultural diversity and languages are essential assets of any nation, representing their identity across the world. According to UNESCO, people in several countries such as the USA, UK or Australia tried to adopt English as their common language at the expense of their mother tongue. It was widely agreed that native languages are extremely rich for any cultural and communal heritage because such languages represent not the only linkage of the speakers with their past but also expresses an identity (Baker). It is the language that contribute to the sum of human knowledge. By losing such languages, there is far more chance of losing the heritage and cultural knowledge of ancestors. Additionally, Multilingualism and Bi are believed to be assets for innovation and
English may not be the most spoken language in the world, but it is the official language in a large number of countries. It is estimated that the number of people in the world that use in English to communicate on a regular basis is 2 billion! English is the dominant business language and it has become almost a necessity for people to speak English if they are to enter a global workforce, research from all over the world shows that cross-border business communication is most often conducted in English. Its importance in the global market place therefore cannot be understated, learning English really can change your life. Throughout this essay I will discuss the importance of English, why English is associated with technical and scientific communication, education and employment communications, last but not least, "Englishes".
Languages are one of the most significant developments of humans. Language is one of the few means of communication which enclose a large number of beliefs, values and are provided paths to see the world in different perceptive. The languages are thought to be in danger when someone talks about native languages or mother’s tongue in foreign countries. Mother’s tongue is a child’s first language and it can be learned since birth. This mother’s language cannot be used often in foreign countries. As a result, significant numbers of languages are ceasing to pass from one generation to another. Cultural diversity and languages are essential assets of any nation, representing their identity across the world. According to UNESCO, people in several countries such as the USA, UK or Australia tried to adopt English as their common language at the expense of their mother tongue. It was widely agreed that native languages are extremely rich for any cultural and communal heritage because such languages represent not the only linkage of the speakers with their past but also expresses an identity. It is because of languages by which one deal with human experience and knowledge of the world. By losing such languages, there is far more chance of losing the heritage and cultural knowledge of ancestors. Additionally, Multilingualism and Bi are believed to be assets
Mr. Crystal starts his informational book about English as a Global Language by giving examples of how often we see the english language around our daily lives in the United States and other countries around the world. He proves this by saying, “Wherever you travel, you see English signs and advertisements. Whenever you enter a hotel or restaurant in a foreign city, they will understand English, and there will always be an English manu.” I personally think this is an awesome example of how English is a global language and it is a great way to get his audience to relate to his book. Crystal goes onto define global language as “ a language achieves a genuinely global status when it develops a special role that is
Globalization has also contributed to an increasing interest in English-language education worldwide. In response to the emergence of English as a world-linking, global language, an increasing number of schools have stepped up English–language requirements, even at undergraduate levels. The argument is that a universal teaching language is necessary as a natural consequence of globalization.
A global language is a language that is spoken universally throughout many countries. A language is considered to be a global language when it is learned by a plethora of people. The most popular one being English. A wide range of English vocabulary was taken from other European countries. Famous linguist David Crystal argues that languages have a strong relation between dominance and cultural power. The main reason that the languages exist is because of a strong power-base, political and military or economic. (A Global Language, 2016). The author uses logos to persuade the reader through historical facts and by quoting famous linguists. He is explaining that the reason for the English language being so prominent throughout the world is due its dominance worldwide, this will be explained in greater detail in
It is everywhere. About 380 million speak it as their first language and perhaps two-thirds as many as their second. A billion are learning it, a third of the world’s population are in some sense exposed to it and by 2050, it is predicted, half the world will be more or less proficient at it. It is the language of globalization - English. Though defining globalization is a contested and divisive issue, according to the “Arab World English Journal,” “Globalization can create a world without boundaries in which people of this world can communicate with each other, interact and share their cultures, economies, and generally their lives via development in the fields of information technologies, communications, and transportations” (Alfehaid 104). Cultures have mixed and economies have become interdependent. Berube’s article, “From Mapping the Bilingual Brain,” exposed the connection between higher IQ levels and knowing more than one language; this investigation ignited a spark of curiosity, one which allowed me to observe the decrease in the memorization of foreign/native languages and the increase and dependence on English in the global community today. This overall aided in developing an extensive research question: In what ways has the globalization of the English language worldwide impacted society? Through exploratory research, the views of English language globalization is widely debatable; although a majority of linguists and