1 The dangers of English as a global language

The spread of the English language around the globe is not a new phenomenon and it is one that has gained a lot of adherents in the last decades. Crystal (2003) clearly states that the English language has already reached a global status, since it is the main language of books, newspapers, airport and air-traffic control, international business and academic conferences, science, technology, medicine, diplomacy, sports, international competition, pop music and advertising (p.58). Many see a global language as beneficial as it facilitates communication. Yet, a large number of people oppose this view because of the unperceived risks. It is the prime aim of the present paper to discuss the real and potential dangers which might arise from universally accepting the use of English as the global international language of communication. Firstly, the international spread of English as a global language may be said to threaten the survival of minority languages and culture (Gaffey, 2005). English has escalated In addition, to this supreme position by being a major part of language planning in formal education (Crystal, 2003). English is also used as the main medium of teaching in higher education in many nations, including countries where it has not achieved official status (Crystal, 2003). these toward of the a policies, cultural speech together uniformity with and as the the a The results of mobility of of increasing

people, goods, and information, have driven a powerful trend disappearance result of of the local languages (Garland, 2006). Unfortunately, when the community lost but dies the language minority In

language being assimilated into the dominant one, not only is language identity the community. Crystals (2003) words:
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This is indeed an intellectual and social tragedy. When a language dies, so much is lost. Especially in languages which have never been written down, or which have been written down only recently, a language is the repository of the history of the form of and sagas, many folktales, other songs,

people. It is their identity. Oral testimony, in rituals, us proverbs, practices, provides

with a unique view of our world and a unique canon of literature. It is their legacy to the rest of humanity. Once lost, it can never be recaptured. (Crystal, p.83) Secondly, native speakers of English might have an

advantage over non-native speakers especially in the areas of business, trade and science. Nowadays, international financial institutions depend on establishing solid economic relations with others. Since a common language is necessary to allow free-market regimes to work, English has been considered the appropriate tool to have when doing business. The larger the number of countries that have been rendered open to global flows of finance, goods, knowledge and culture, the greater the influence of English (Graddol, 1997). As far as scientific publishing is concerned, journals in many countries have shifted from publishing in their national language to publishing in English (Graddol, 1997). Gibbs (1995) describes how the Mexican in medical English, to all editor,

journal Archivos de Investigacin Medica shifted to English: then articles, first publishing English hiring abstracts an providing finally translations American

accepting articles only in English and changing its name to Archives of Medical Research. (as quoted in Graddol, 1997)
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Although people writing in a minority language have a better chance of publishing their work than one writing in a major tongue, they will necessarily have a much smaller chance of The result in science is clear: translation and international recognition and they might not reach a world-wide audience. Those who strive to make a mark in their discipline try to publish in English. Nevertheless, the ones who stick to their home language, English excepted, have lower ambitions and do less significant work. Finally, the growth of English as an international

language can be conceived as linguistic, economic, political and cultural imperialism implemented by the dominant nations which attempt and succeed in transmitting their ideologies through the English language (Phillipson, 2003). Graddol (1997) asserts that British colonial Similarly, expansion

established the pre-conditions for the global use of English by taking the language form from its island birthplace to settlements around the world. He also suggests that the story of English in the twentieth century has been closely linked to the rise of the US as a superpower that has spread the English language alongside its economic, technological and cultural influence. Consequently, English language teaching contributes to the dominance of English worldwide. The British Council, to in its its role early in the stages, active

explicitly

referred

establishment of English as a universal language and in the 1950s it began collaboration with the USA, which involved the joint teaching of courses. At this point, both countries adopted a policy of promoting the use of English as an international second language in order to develop and maintain western economic interests. (Gaffey, 2005)
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Crystals and that

(2003) there

statistics are about

show

that million

English people

language currently

teaching is one of the worlds largest expanding industries 1,000 learning English. To conclude, the disappearance of minority languages and cultures due to the dominance of those who speak and spread the supreme language might provide real evidence of the hidden damage that a global language could inflict upon communities. Linguistic imperialism becomes the means to enforce English ideology into the dominated peoples. this sentence. I would try and rewrite

You need to bring the thesis statement into you conclusion using similar wording Works cited Centre for Economic Policy Research, 1999. English as the

Global Language: Good for Business, Bad for Literature [online].Available from World Wide Web: Crystal, D. 2003. English as a global language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Gaffey, E. 2005. Biting your tongue: Globalized power and the international language, pag.12. Graddol, D. The Future of English. The British Council, 1997. Phillipson, R. Linguistic Imperialism. Oxford: Oxford in Variant Journal, Vol.2, n2,

University Press, 2003

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Wolfgang,

D.

Ruth

Wodak-Leodolter

ISBN

9027977046

(90-279-

7704-6). Hardcover, de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Walter

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