This essay is about the development of english in the worldwide context.
In our highly technological, modern and above all fast paced world, instant communication is not only an auxiliary but also a necessity. To be successful and to compete in a global economy, one has to be seen and heard by as many different parties as possible, as quickly as possible. However, in in a worldwide context, the content is not the only thing that is important. What causes more difficulty is the question of understanding. It is very likely that the addresser and the addressee do not come from the same country or even the same continent. In order to enable communication despite the language barrier, there has to be a language that can serve as a medium of connection between two parties. This language nowadays is English, spoken all over the world by almost 1 Billion people, 600 Million of which are non-native, or second language, speakers. Even though it may not be the ‘biggest’ language in the world when it comes to the total number of speakers, Mandarin Chinese heads the table with 1.1 Billion speakers, there are other aspects that make English the ‘biggest’ language globally. Lu (2008) identifies some of them as ease of learning and use, broad acceptance of culture that the language represents, widely scattered users and the possibility to avail of audio-visual and literary publications in order to use the language actively.
Table of Contents
- The Future of English
- English as a Global Language
- Expansion of the British Empire
- Emergence of the United States
- Threats to English
- Chinese
- Portuguese and Spanish
- BRICS
- The Importance of English
- Ease of Learning
- The Dark Side of English Dominance
- The Future of English
Objectives and Key Themes
This text explores the status and potential future of English as a global language. It examines the historical factors that have contributed to English's widespread use and discusses potential threats from other languages, particularly Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- The rise of English as a global language
- The impact of globalization and technological advancements on language use
- The economic and political implications of language dominance
- The challenges and opportunities associated with multilingualism
- The future of English in a multi-lingual world
Chapter Summaries
The text begins by outlining the reasons for English's global prominence, highlighting the influence of the British Empire and the subsequent rise of the United States as a leading economic power. It then examines potential challenges to English dominance from languages like Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish, considering factors such as economic growth and the spread of these languages in various regions. The text also explores the importance of English in global organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, acknowledging its role as a common communication tool.
The text further delves into the advantages of English as a relatively easy language to learn, particularly in the initial stages, while acknowledging the complexities that arise at higher levels of proficiency. The discussion also touches upon the potential negative consequences of English dominance, highlighting the potential for linguistic inequality and the underrepresentation of smaller languages. Finally, the text contemplates the future of English, suggesting that it may not be replaced by a single dominant language but rather coexist with other languages in a more regionally-defined multilingual environment.
Keywords
Key themes and concepts explored in the text include globalization, language dominance, economic and political power, multilingualism, language learning, and the future of English in a globalized world. The text also examines the impact of factors such as cultural exchange, technological advancements, and the rise of new economic powers on the global language landscape.
- Quote paper
- Marion Moll (Author), 2015, Essay about the history and future of English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/383839
