English and Globalization the Incorporation of the Language in Various Cultures - Essay Example

English and globalization English and globalization is an interesting topic to discuss, notably due to my unanticipated relationship with this language. It was not my idea to study English as my major, until I realized the opportunity that is presented by being competent in English language. Looking back I understand that, the study of English has become inevitable to many others, since it has become a global language (Mahboob, 2009 p177). English language has become particularly important in business transactions, jobs and any other form of communication, such as communication over the internet. This study seeks to delve into the concept of English and globalization. It takes the form of enquiring into what exactly qualifies English to be a global language. Therefore, the discussion seeks to delve into the topic English and globalization, with a focus on the factors that qualify a language to be regarded as global, how English has met these qualifications, and what is the uniqueness of English, comparing to other languages, which can also be regarded as widespread in the world. The adoption and incorporation of English language in the cultural contexts of many communities, to apply such a language as additional resource for the creation of linguistic and literary creativity, has led to the emergence of several English language divisions, with each of them being peculiar to its own locality and its own culture (Bhatt, 1993 p25). The qualification of a language to be regarded as global requires means that the language is to be adopted as a dominant medium of communication in different regions of the world. This is one of the aspects of the English Language that is indisputable, considering that this language is applied in more than 70 countries of the world as an official language, which means that the language is used in formal communication in the judicial, educational and other public institutions in more than 70 countries of the world (Lin, Wang, Akamatsu and Riazi, 2002 p303). While many other languages could be wide spread and be applied in many other countries as their official languages, none of those languages can dominate over the English language. In fact, in sharp contrast to many languages that could be localized or distributed over certain regions of the world, the impact of English has been felt everywhere in the world. Considering that it is the main language for business, technology, science and, most fundamentally, the internet, there is no doubt that English language and its applications has been widely adopted in almost all aspects of the world language use, thus qualifying it as a global language (Karmani, 2005 p265). The application of English language in the field of academia and research is yet another factor that qualifies English language as a global language. In the world of academia, it is observed that over 50% of all published academic materials have been published in the English language (Bhatt, 1993 p28). Furthermore, in certain scientific fields, virtually all the educational and research materials have been published in English, signifying the extent to which the application of English language is adopted globally. Further research has also indicated that the number of non-native English speakers in the world is growing overwhelmingly, with an indication that the current non-native speakers of the English language outnumber the native speakers in the ratio 3 to 1 globally (Karmani, 2005 p263). Such figures serves to indicate that the English language has been highly adopted in the world, and its growth is set to increase even further, courtesy of the current developments in infrastructure and technology, which make education and consequently literacy more accessible. However, the most notable aspect of this growth is that; while the usage and application of English language is increasing tremendously, much of its aspects are changing. Therefore, it is worth noting that despite the expansion of its applications, many regions, cultures and even individual countries have created different forms of this language, which are informed by contextualizing the language to fit into their setting and communication needs (Pennycook, 2003 p515). It is therefore possible to find many people who will apply this language, but in different forms that could create confusion, especially for the native speakers of the language. The other notable aspect of the English language, which makes it even more unique, is the fact that, English has become very vital for people in their jobs, such that it is now simply being regarded as indispensable. Almost every aspect of global business demands some communication in English (Phillipson, 1994a p34). Additionally, there has been a drastic change in the age and level at which English as a language is being introduced to learners. While it was being introduced at the high school level or at least from the 10th grade upwards in most countries that are not English speakers, that has now changed. English is now being introduced to the learners as a second or other language, as early as at their elementary level (Phillipson, 2006 p347). This serves to make sure that most of the non-native English speakers in the world are either fluent or at least competent in English language use, by the time they attain their high school age. This has informed the global job perspective, since the jobs that required the use of English, or those that entails teaching English language, have become more competitive, since close to a quarter of the world population is now introduced and able to use English (Tollefson, 2000 p21). Better still is the fact that, language use has now become more of mandatory subject, than optional. Many countries are introducing English language into their education and even formal public systems as a compulsory second language, which has no optional language to its application. This explains the upsurge of English and globalization. The fundamental aspect that makes English unique is the fact that English is better placed to carry the experience of any other single language spoken, written and taught in the world. It has been tested and proved to be capable of carrying African experience, through the works of African writers such as Chinua Achebe of Nigeria (Mahboob, 2009 p176). The same aspect is being tested with the Islamic countries, through trying to discover how English language can be contextualized and incorporated into the Muslim culture and ways of life. A study undertaken on English use in Pakistan proved to be practical, with an indication that English language has become a vital part of the educational, social and economic life of Pakistan, since 1947 (Mahboob, 2009 p178). A similar study undertaken in India has proved that English is practically applicable, and thus capable of being integrated into every aspect of the social, political, educational, economic and social life of the people. When India was colonized by Britain, the adoption of English language proved to be practically impossible. However, during the stay of the Britons in the country, the language had become so much entrenched into the systems of the country, such that it was practically impossible to do away with it, even after the end of colonialism (Bhatt, 1993 p27). This forced the country to retain the language, and in fact adopt it as the official language for the country after its independence. The mode of transportation of English language explains its globalization and also its uniqueness. English language has been taken all over the world by soldiers, settlers and traders (Phillipson, 1994b p2).The British are recognized to have been a very industrious and adventurous nation, dating back to the pre-colonial period, where the desire to explore, know the world, spread Christianity and trade with the rest of the world saw Britons move widely, throughout the world. This movement accounts for the far-reaching and widespread distribution of this language, to almost all parts of the world. While Britain had to leave such countries after the attainment of independence, many countries sought to establish their independence from their colonizer, through changing most of their adopted cultures, lifestyles, politics and economic integration. However, one aspect proved to be indispensable, the aspect of a common language that could be applied to communicate domestically and internationally, following the fact that the world had been opened-up to become socially, politically and economically integrated, and thus the relationships with other countries became inevitable (Bhatt, 1993 p33). Through the realization that a language that was recognized internationally had to be maintained, to enhance the continued interactions between countries, English once again became the only option for most of the former colonies. This explains the concept of English language imperialism, which has wholesomely engulfed other countries and regions of the world with the burden of English language necessity, since such countries do not have any other alternative, other than to use the English language, to reach out to the rest of the world (Tollefson, 2000 p7). Language is known to constitute an identity that makes the individuals remain the kind of person they are. Therefore, the concept of spreading of rap and hip-hop did not only occur because these were popular music brands, but because of the sociolinguistic aspects of these brands (Pennycook, 2003 p514). While music can be diverse and differentiated by various other aspects such as themes, style and performance, nothing creates a better distinction than the aspects of language use. Despite the fact that the same language could be used in composing different music, it is the way such language is applied in each of the music composition that creates the difference. Therefore, when the rap and the hip-hop cultures emerged, it wasn’t only dependent on their styles and themes they spread globally, but rather capitalized on the aspect of language use and application, to reach the furthest corners of the world. The spread of rap and the hip-hop cultures served to increase the spread of the English language further, considering that these cultures were adopted worldwide, applying English as the language of communication. Exactly this application of the language entailed mixing it with the local languages that gave rise to a popular brand which could be adopted everywhere. Therefore, the compatibility of English language with other local languages from different parts of the world, explains its uniqueness, which has accounted for its globalization. References Bhatt, R., 1993. Expert Discourses, Local Practices and Hybridity: The case of Indian Englishes, University of Illinois. Karmani, S., 2005. English, ‘Terror’, and Islam, Applied Linguistics 26(2): 262–267. Lin, A., Wang, W., Akamatsu, N. and Riazi, A. M., 2002. Appropriating English, expanding identities, and re-visioning the field: from TESOL to teaching English for globalized communication (TEGCOM). Journal of Language, Identity, and Education, 1(4), pp. 295-316. Mahboob, A., 2009. English as an Islamic language: a case study of Pakistani English. World Englishes, 28(2), pp 175-189. Pennycook, A., 2003. Global Englishes, Rip Slyme, and Performativity. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 7(4), pp.513-533. Phillipson, R., 1994a. The linguistic imperialism of neoliberal empire. Critical Inquiry in Language Studies, 5(1):1-43. Phillipson, R., 1994b. English Language Spread Policy. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, Vol.107, pp.7-24. Phillipson, R., 2006. Language Policy and Linguistic Imperialism, in T. Ricento (Ed.). An Introduction to Language Policy: Theory and Method, Oxford: Blackwell, pp.346-361. Tajima, M., 2010. Critical self-reflection: A performative act. The Language Teacher, 34(4). pp49-52. Tollefson, J. W., 2000. Policy and Ideology in the Spread of English, in J. K. Hall and W. G. Eggington (Eds.). The Sociopolitics of English Language Teaching, Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, pp.7-21. Read More