The Role of the English Language in Our World Today - Essay Example

We are focussing on the significance of the domains of the English language in a cultural context, where global popular culture in the name of ‘globalization’ is challenging the essential mythologies of the English language (Mair, 2003, p. 19). The way the English language is misused in the cultural context does not necessarily refer to culture-specific aspects, although it is obvious that many of the concepts in this category are alien to many Third World cultures, and the corresponding texts are imported from the First World (Greenbaum, 1996, p. 188).

            English as a world language serves all the world’s citizens irrespective of caste, culture, or creed and its postulated universality makes it equally relevant everywhere, as though it can function independently of contemporary power balances, both global and local (Mair, 2003, p. 20). Although globalization in the international spread of the English language may be regrettable and undesirable we cannot ignore that global English today has become an agent of reform and fairness. Despite a ‘globalized language’, the pressures of a rights-oriented culture may one day enable English to become the vehicle for articulation while maintaining certain worldwide standards of protection.   

            English language from an economic perspective has been able to bridge the gap between various cultures and economies; therefore it has served as an exchange-facilitating institution, where ‘exchange’ is not the only economic function the English language has performed (Reksulak et al, 2004). English language development has been shaped by revealing the constellation of economic and other forces. However, the impact technology upholds in the innovation, trade, and economic growth of the English-speaking world is evident in the rising share of nouns in new words added during the past two or three centuries which make up 58% of the words originating in the 19th century and more than 70% of the words originating in the 20th (Reksulak et al, 2004).

            There is no doubt that the English language blames the grand scale globalization factor and put all the enthusiasm and vitriol on its shoulders, but it is this language that is responsible for the growth in regional interactions from trade to travel. These interactions have long engaged in promoting the spread of the English language among other regional languages (Fishman, 2000, p. 13).

            The significance of the English language lies in the notion that it is present in societies where local languages are disappearing, and in cultures where local languages are not considered, English is understood and spoken (Moritoshi, Nov 2001).