The ambivalent role of English in Brazilian politics by Kana Villil Rajagopalan in World Englishes, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp.

9-101, 2003. A review by Jssica Cerqueira de Carvalho Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

In the article, Rajagopalan proposes a discussion on the role of English in Brazil and its social dynamics. The author does not propose solutions to the problems that are presented; instead of that, he stimulates a reflection about the pros and cons of the massive presence of the English language in Brazilian society and what it represents. Is it a natural linguistic phenomenon or something larger than that? First of all, Rajagopalan mentions Oliveira e Paiva's doctoral thesis that addresses the the socio-economic dimension of the symbol that is the English language in Brazilian society today. Oliveira e Paiva claims that English, more than a communication tool, came to be a strong symbol of class division. English is perceived as a symbol of status, of sophistication. If, before, the lowest classes were segregated by the pure mechanisms of the capitalist system, now there is another variable that restates its financial condition: the dominance of the English language. To my way of thinking, Oliveira e Paiva is absolutely right. English should be a tool for integration and democratization. In contrast, it has became a mechanism of social selection and segregation. Rajagopalan also brings an old debate to light. It concerns the English language in the context of globalization. The core of the debate is this process linguistic effects, and how can it threaten the integrity of certain languages and national identities. The author mentions two main positions on this point. There are those who "fear that the unbridled incursion of English (...) may negatively impact of Portuguese (...) and the very integrity of the nation." (2003, p. 95). In the meantime, there are those who argue that this incursion should be faced as a natural process, as long as Brazil is a multicultural country, opened to "foreign influences, ready to accept differences."(2003, p.96). I assume a neutral position when it comes to this aspect of the debate. I would defend the national identity and language if this position was not an obsolete one. In the context of globalization, it is important to defend the nation in another aspects, such as the economic one, and let the language take its course, natural or not, mixing with other languages. After all, English affects Portuguese; however, the opposite also occurs. The author draws attention to the fact that the higher classes in Brazil are making use of English as a "marker of status and high living."(2003, p.95). Even when there exists a native word for whatever needs to be transmitted, the urban elite prefers to make use of a similar English word. The English language, in this case, is a geo-political variable that reaffirms our condition of dependency on the influence of the rich countries and, withal, our submission. In conclusion, Rajagopalan states that is crucial to realize the importance of a certain national linguistic and cultural integrity. Nevertheless, it is essential to take into account the context of globalization and the resulting need for flexibility on language issues.