English as a Global Language Causes and Effects
English is spoken in most parts of the world, for instance in Great Britain, the USA, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand and in many more countries. Moreover in African states English serves
as main form of communication.English is the language most people speak and it is the most popular second language and foreign language pupils learn in school. The English language is
often can wipe out smaller languages and their cultures by exclusive use such as the media or the economy.
There are enough indications that English as a Global Language is gaining
recognition as a special phenomenon. Thus, for example, we have journals like
World Englishes and English World-Wide, and books such as English as a
World Language, English Around the World, and English in the World,
devoted entirely to the study of Global English; all this is indicative of the fact that
Global English is being recognized as a field of study in its own right. And yet it
seems to me that we have been tardy in taking the next step, which is that of
recognising that this new phenomenon requires theoretical perspectives of its
own.What has not been sufficiently recognized, in my opinion, is that English as a
Global language is not merely an international language, that Global English
even as an international language represents a totally new phenomenon in human history.
This new phenomena can be seen in a positive light because the use of English as a common
language brings efficiency and greater understanding. Growth and development are not tolerant
of differences and English becomes a means for international expansion. Nonetheless this also
brings with it a development which gobbles up cultures and
Australia, New Zealand and in many more countries. Moreover in African states English serves
as main form of communication.English is the language most people speak and it is the most popular second language and foreign language pupils learn in school. The English language is
often can wipe out smaller languages and their cultures by exclusive use such as the media or the economy.
There are enough indications that English as a Global Language is gaining
recognition as a special phenomenon. Thus, for example, we have journals like
World Englishes and English World-Wide, and books such as English as a
World Language, English Around the World, and English in the World,
devoted entirely to the study of Global English; all this is indicative of the fact that
Global English is being recognized as a field of study in its own right. And yet it
seems to me that we have been tardy in taking the next step, which is that of
recognising that this new phenomenon requires theoretical perspectives of its
own.What has not been sufficiently recognized, in my opinion, is that English as a
Global language is not merely an international language, that Global English
even as an international language represents a totally new phenomenon in human history.
This new phenomena can be seen in a positive light because the use of English as a common
language brings efficiency and greater understanding. Growth and development are not tolerant
of differences and English becomes a means for international expansion. Nonetheless this also
brings with it a development which gobbles up cultures and