There are a number of problems associated with the rise of English as a world language - Essay Example

?There are a number of problems associated with the rise of English as a world language Introduction The question what makes a language a world language is one that cannot be answered satisfactorily. However certain languages have acquired distinct position among the variety of languages world wide. Among them English has gained much greater position in comparison with the other languages and has been termed as the global language. Different factors work together in attaining such a privileged position. Research personals have pointed out various reasons that help to attain the position. In this regard David Crystal has the opinion that the military power is crucial. He rightly comments: “a language becomes an international language for one chief reason: the political power of its people- especially their military power” (Burns & Coffin 2001, p. 30). The international economy plays a vital role in determining the future of the English language. Due to globalization the patterns of trade is undergoing drastic changes and new working practices emerge powerfully. For example screen based labour is getting wider acceptance nowadays and it affects the use of the English language in composite ways. At present one can observe a perceptible increase in the number of persons learning and using the English language but a close examination will prove that the long term growth of English is comparatively lesser than its former status. The 20th century witnessed many scientific, economic, and cultural developments and in fact it boosted the relevance of English as well. But it cannot be expected that it will last long as there is a trend of wider mixed language use in the recent years. Mainly four sectors can be identified where English may loose its dominance. Say for the audio- visual market, computer based communication, the associated processes in economic globalization and foreign language training in developing countries where the regional trade may use other language of economic importance. For hundreds of years the English language has been dominated over the mono lingual speakers but now it is expected to have a bilingual future. Language professionals have the opinion that an increasing proportion of the world’s population will be fluent speakers of more than one language in the coming years. It really will affect the dominance of English over the world population. Social value shifts also affect the language of English in a negative way. The actions of governments, institutions and individuals have helped the promotion of English in the recent years. But it was guided by the logic of economic rationalism. Now there is a great change in the public opinion that quality of life is as important as the income. These type values shifts will question the ethical issues associated with the dominance of a world language like English and cause a reassessment of its impact on other cultures (Graddol 1997). The advantages of a world language like English are several. For example in business it can be very important as a medium as the business personals working together may vary of their nationalities. There a common language has got such a great relevance and it decides the effects of their dealings. But at the same time it has got certain demerits or disadvantages as well. First of all the existence of a global language will make an elite monolingual linguistic class and they will have a dismissive and complacent attitude towards other languages. Moreover the accessibility of a common language will make the people lazy of learning other languages. They will be reluctant to utilize such an opportunity though they get a chance. Some times the global language can cause the disappearance for a minority language and it may belittle the necessity of such languages. Above all the practice of a single language can be a threat to social harmony and mutual understanding. This has got historical evidence. The American civil war, the Spanish civil war, Vietnam War former Yugoslavia and contemporary Northern Ireland are examples (Crystal 2003). It can be said that the global English is a product of economic globalization and part of the communication technology. It will be true that in the next decades most of the world population can speak English. Though the developments came in the 20th and 21st century it roots of English language lies in the past. From time to time there emerge new varieties of English and gradually leads to the formation of new languages. There by the quality of original English get loses finally. For example, as researchers point out the correct articulation of the ‘th’ can be done properly by native speaker and it is relevant in their pronunciation. On the other hand it is of little importance in global English. Hence there occurs degradation of quality English (Graddol). Now there emerges the crucial that can English sustain its position as the world language in the coming years. It is a question deserving greater importance as it looses its grip. First of all the approach towards English should be changed. It is a widely accepted idea that English is a British branded product. It should be changed. English language is an international means of communication therefore it should be a part of the education process of each and every region. Thus the importance and accessibility can be instilled in the minds of the learners from childhood itself. So it can be stated that English is global in use and local in its learning. But the established concept is entirely different as it sees English as local in its use and global in its learning. Irrespective of the learners’ circumstances it should be treated as a global commodity and should follow a monolingual teaching method (Spolsky, Cooper, Shohamy & Walters 2001, p. 15). Conclusions To conclude, English has been the global language for many years and it will sustain it position in the coming years. But special care is needed in sustaining its status as it confronts multifaceted threats. Globalization has affected it widely and the world economy has greater impact on its relevance. Though its relevance and accessibility is questioned the status can be uplifted and sustained. References Burns, A & Coffin, C 2001, Analysing English in a global context: a reader, Illustrated ed, Routledge. Crystal, D 2003, English as a Global Language, 2nd ed, Cambridge University Press, viewed 29 Aug. 11, < http://sprachshop.com/sixcms/media.php/811/English_as_a_grobal_lang_sample_ch.pdf> Graddol, D 1997, ‘The Future of English?’ The British Council, viewed 29 Aug. 11, . Graddol, D, Global English: Education & Language, viewed 29 Aug. 11, < http://www.open2.net/healtheducation/education/globalenglish.html>. Spolsky, B., Cooper, R.L., Shohamy, E.G & Walters, J 2001, Ed., New perspectives and issues in educational language policy: a festschrift for Bernard Dov Spolsky, John Benjamins Publishing Company. Read More