The massive increase of English speakers around the world who speak it at all different levels of proficiency, for any variety of purposes and with (other) non-native speakers has sparked some concerns and controversies.
Some are concerned that its wide spread and the emergence and institutionalisation of new ‘Englishes’ will lead to a language fragmentation that could ultimately result in mutual unintelligibility. The question of who holds authority over English today is causing heated discussions.
Teaching practices for English as a foreign language are yet another contentious subject. For the most part, English teaching is still oriented towards British or North American varieties, and a learner’s proficiency is measured in relation to those norms. Some, however, demand that English teaching practices take into account that usage situations and requirements for English have changed, and that teachers prepare students for international communication rather than communication with Americans or British.
The issue with perhaps the greatest political significance is that of linguistic imperialism. As English, particularly the ‘prestige varieties’ British and American, are being taught to more and more people across the world, some have voiced their concern that this “compromises the cultural integrity of the non-native speaker”. There is a fear that English might suppress or even replace local languages and be used as a tool to spread Anglo-American cultural hegemony.
This essay gives first a rough overview over who speaks English in the world today. It then briefly discusses some of the attempts by scholars to categorise this immense number of ddifferent people, focusing particularly on Kachru’s model of the spread of English. It addresses some of the factors that lead to the emergence of new varieties of English, describing Nigerian English and China English in more detail by way of an example. Linguistic imperialism is discussed subsequently as one particularly controversial issue relating to the rise of English to one of the world’s most predominant languages.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Who speaks English?
- Kachru and the spread of English around the world
- The emergence of “new Englishes”
- Nigeria
- China
- Linguistic Imperialism
- Contrasting views
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the global spread of English, examining its diverse varieties and the societal and political implications of its dominance. The objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of English as a world language, analyzing its impact on linguistic landscapes, cultural identities, and power dynamics.
- The global spread of English and its evolution into diverse varieties
- The role of English in former colonies and its impact on local languages and cultures
- The emergence of new Englishes in both Outer and Expanding Circle countries
- The concept of linguistic imperialism and its relationship to the spread of English
- The debate on the dominance of English and its potential impact on linguistic diversity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the changing status of English in the world, highlighting its increasing global presence and the controversies surrounding its spread. The paper then examines the different groups of English speakers, categorizing them as native speakers, second language speakers, and foreign language speakers. It delves into Kachru’s Three Circle Model, a framework that attempts to represent the spread and function of English in various regions. The paper explores the emergence of “new Englishes,” analyzing the development of distinct local varieties in countries like Nigeria and China, which showcase the influence of indigenous languages and cultural contexts. Lastly, the paper delves into the contentious issue of linguistic imperialism, examining the arguments put forward by Robert Phillipson and other scholars who view the global spread of English as a form of dominance. This section also discusses contrasting perspectives, presenting arguments that challenge the notion of linguistic imperialism and emphasize the agency of non-native English speakers in shaping the language.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on the global spread of English, exploring its diverse varieties, including new Englishes, linguistic imperialism, and its impact on local languages and cultures. It examines the Three Circle Model by Kachru, the emergence of localized varieties of English, and the debate surrounding the dominance of English and its influence on linguistic diversity.
- Quote paper
- Eva-Maria Kaufmann (Author), 2011, The Spread of English in the World, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/215256
