Globalization, Call Center, and Language
Globalization, Call Center, and Language
Globalization is defined as “accelerated modernization interconnecting all parts of the world” (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, & McBride, 2008, p. 623). Globalization hastened and intensified collaboration and incorporation among different nations’ citizens, businesses, and governments. This progression has influences, both desirable and undesirable, on human wellbeing, natural resources, economies and, predominantly, culture (The Levine Institute, n.d.). The essay will discuss the effects of globalization and modernization in language and culture, through outsourced call centers in India and particularly, the Philippines.
India and Philippines, though considered economically disadvantaged compared to most industrialized nations, are rich in languages. Individual languages recorded for India accounts to 461 while Philippines to 185, (Lewis, Simmons, & Fennig, 2013). Language and culture being intertwined make these two countries also affluent in culture and history. Aside from their own respective vast number of languages, India and Philippines are English-speaking countries. In fact, each country has two link languages for their people - which have different native tongues - to communicate. India officially uses Hindi and English, whereas Philippines officially uses Tagalog and English. Indians acquired the English language during the British rule. Filipinos learned it during the period of American colonization.
In the age of communication and technology, it is necessary to be English-speaking in order to be successful and marketable in any industry. “English has become an international commodity… the English language has made the world a 'global village ' by giving it a global language for communication” (Somatkar, 2012, p. 1). With that being said, English language proficiency of India and Philippines became their assets to progress in current global economy. The call center industries, outsourced by most
Globalization is defined as “accelerated modernization interconnecting all parts of the world” (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, & McBride, 2008, p. 623). Globalization hastened and intensified collaboration and incorporation among different nations’ citizens, businesses, and governments. This progression has influences, both desirable and undesirable, on human wellbeing, natural resources, economies and, predominantly, culture (The Levine Institute, n.d.). The essay will discuss the effects of globalization and modernization in language and culture, through outsourced call centers in India and particularly, the Philippines.
India and Philippines, though considered economically disadvantaged compared to most industrialized nations, are rich in languages. Individual languages recorded for India accounts to 461 while Philippines to 185, (Lewis, Simmons, & Fennig, 2013). Language and culture being intertwined make these two countries also affluent in culture and history. Aside from their own respective vast number of languages, India and Philippines are English-speaking countries. In fact, each country has two link languages for their people - which have different native tongues - to communicate. India officially uses Hindi and English, whereas Philippines officially uses Tagalog and English. Indians acquired the English language during the British rule. Filipinos learned it during the period of American colonization.
In the age of communication and technology, it is necessary to be English-speaking in order to be successful and marketable in any industry. “English has become an international commodity… the English language has made the world a 'global village ' by giving it a global language for communication” (Somatkar, 2012, p. 1). With that being said, English language proficiency of India and Philippines became their assets to progress in current global economy. The call center industries, outsourced by most
References: Friginal, E. (2007). Outsourced call centers and English in the Philippines. World Englishes, 26(3), 331–345. Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., Walrath, D., & McBride, B. (2008). Anthropology: The human challenge. (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Lewis, P., Simons, G., & Fennig, C. (2013). Ethnologue: Languages of the World (17th ed.). Dallas Texas: SIL International. Retrieved from http://www.ethnologue.com McCurry, J. W. (2004). India reigns, but Philippines gains. Site Selection, 49(6), 743-745. Somatkar, B. W. (2012). Social status of English language in India. Golden Research Thoughts, 1(XI), 1-4. The Levine Institute. (n.d.). Globalization 101: Introduction. Retrieved from www.globalization101.org