Globalization has ushered in an era of global culture and economy. With this increased internationalization, everyone needs a medium of communication. Intercultural transactions can only take place if a common language is used. The English language has become popular as a common language. As Brian Bloch and Donna Starks explained (1999) Malay English, Arabic English, American English, Australian English or even South African English are many distinctive forms of English but they all have British English as a basic root.
In this document, we will study the reasons behind the rise of English as a global language, the effects of the globalization, and the prospects that the future holds for English and other languages.
Specialists agree that the importance of English is directly linked to an historical perspective. Braj B Kachru (1989) easily explains the different stages of the spread of English. Firstly, it was the language used for trades, explorations and conquests since the 16th century. Then, the establishment of strategic posts all around the world (Africa, The Orient, North America and Australia) extended its use. A Few hundred centuries later, as the global population increased, non native speakers had to learn English to find employment or a place within the dominant countries. After the Second World War, former British colonies became independent and began to teach English in their new educational structures.
Thus, there has been a huge development of English with respect to the number of activities that depended on its use. The industrial and telecommunication revolutions amplified the expansion of English. This explains why history cannot be the only explanation of the progress of English. David Crystal (1997) says that a language can become an international one for many reasons, such as the influence of political and the military powers, but only the economical one can allow a country to maintain and expand it.
[...] We also examine some of the critical factors that would define the development of a corporate language policy in a globalized market, drawing upon insights from traditional language planning in the sociopolitical context of community and nation building. Keywords: Foreign languages, Multinationals, Policy Article Type: General review Reference Links 0 Forward Reference Links: 0 Article URL: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/ 10.1108 /13563280210449822 Title: The many faces of English: intra-language variation and its implications for international business Author(s): Brian Bloch, Donna Starks Journal: Corporate Communications: An International Journal ISSN: 1356-3289 Year: Jun 1999 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Page: 80 - 88 DOI: 10.1108 /13563289910268115 Publisher: MCB UP Ltd Abstract: Business people in the English-speaking world tend to underrate the significance of language skills in general, and in particular, the importance of variation within the English language. [...]
[...] English as a global language: Past, present and future Globalization has ushered in an era of global culture and economy. With this increased internationalization, everyone needs a medium of communication. Intercultural transactions can only take place if a common language is used. The English language has become popular as a common language. As Brian Bloch and Donna Starks explained (1999)[1] Malay English, Arabic English, American English, Australian English or even South African English are many distinctive forms of English but they all have British English as a basic root. [...]
[...] Nowadays, we are witnessing strong reactions all over the world to the phenomenon of internationalization and to English as a global language. Some economic arguments (local or national markets, economic borders, quotas etc) can persuade a country to reduce its investment in the English language. Norman Fairclough (2001) explains how the Green Party in England proposed a challenge to globalization in 1999, by promoting local economies and making countries less dependent on the global economy. In France, Jean Marie Le Pen from Le Front National, a radical party, is claiming that, because of globalization, the French nation will lose its own culture. [...]
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