English in Every Mouth: The Positive, Negative and Possible - Literature review Example

English in Every Mouth: The Positive, Negative and Possible English in Every Mouth: The Positive, Negative and Possible The world views language as a medium of communication. Communication is the key to transforming ideas into results; an essential in cultural, economic and societal development. It is an expression of intelligibility. Nations gain a sense of positive competition with other countries in lieu of cooperation for “one world” globalization. In this context a far more ideal world would be that with one unifying form of language. The world also views language as form of identity (Crystal, 1997). Every country has a first spoken language. There is French for people from France, German for people from Germany and Spanish from people from Spain. Other countries even have dialects as part of their language, like how the Philippines has Filipino as the national language, and dialects specialized in regional locations in the country. For many years, civilization from around the world developed with their own unique languages because throughout history language was equated to geographical territory-land (The Language Situation of Today’s World). Who we are roots from where we come from, and with the cultural richness of our upbringing comes the language we speak. In this sense, it would be very important to value local dialects and languages of all forms because it simple reminds us of how we see and present ourselves to the word (Crystal, 1997). These two language functions of intelligibility and identity presented by David Crystal tell us about the conflict raised in the interest we build when it comes to our world languages. In today’s modern age of technological advancement and booming globalization, the English language has entered or even dominated different countries from across the globe. It would be best to discuss the positive and negative effects of its boom to being the world’s global language. English somehow weaves people from different forms and races into an easier communication process, which means better ways to convey ideas, process international transactions and even just pull out a simple every day conversation without having language as a boundary. It has somehow raised the possibility of the world being a community that understands and speaks the same thoughts. Having a common language provides a positive avenue for healthy relationships across nations and it even provides employment for a lot of people from different parts of the world. China is known to be one of the biggest and most powerful nations in the world aside from the US and the UK. English is now viewed as “the gatekeeper” to their higher education, employment, economic prosperity and social status. It has recently faced controversies when it comes to putting English in the pedestal over other local dialects and languages in the country (Qiang and Wolff). Many Chinese dialects has become marginalized, forgotten or totally banished in the country. The Chinese Academy is just one of the many educational institutions that have English as a required course in their curriculum. With this said, when a student fails to reach the standards on English proficiency will fail to receive his diploma as well. It has become a competitive part of the work force wherein despite the minimal chances of using the language in the comfort of the nation’s corporate territory, employees put extra effort in learning the language as it is a pre- condition for promotion. Furthermore, China has made English its unofficial second language. An estimated 150,000 foreign English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and more than 1,000,000 Chinese English teachers are now educating more than 600,000,000 Chinese students (Qiang and Wolff). With effects to do world’s biggest populated country as proof, English has long secured its status as a global language in the 20th century. All these are under the reason of its strong acting force in facilitating globalization. China only complied with the growing need to invest and capitalize in learning and practicing English since it is an essential tool to achieve a greater power in world economic standing. Third world English- speaking countries have also invested and gained big in using the knowledge of English as capital. Filipinos who work in foreign countries have an automatic edge over applicants from other countries just because they can speak better English. Investors and employers find it easier to hire someone who knows how to speak the global language in order to successfully perform their work duties. The Philippines is recently gaining a huge improvement in its economic stature in the recent year. The Philippines has become a venue for foreign company investors such as call centers and foreign English- teaching institutions (ESL). Sadly, other third world countries and parts of the world where education is as futile as famine, English could be a demoralizing factor. Countries like those in Africa and the Middle East for example, experience a furthermore isolation from the rest of the world because of the seemingly inescapable inability to attain knowledge about English as a language and other advancements and development being experienced by the rest of the world. On the other hand, English is in the Philippine’s educational curriculum. This roots from their colonial history as the Americans once ruled the said country in 1898-1943 and greatly influenced their way of life and education system. This is the sole reason why they can cultivate their knowledge on the English and use it to feed their families. The situation of the Philippines as a colonial country of the US raises the assumption that with the decision to use a certain language means to support the existence of a given cultural matrix (Qiang and Wolff). In the Philippines’ adaptation of the English language it now has a culture very much influenced by the Westernized way of life. Is this what China wants to happen to its already rich cultural heritage? In minimizing the importance of the nation and in maximizing the role of globalization there is a fear that with starting to solely accumulate a certain language in its society; English per se, could be associated with the possibility of a Westernized China. If worse comes to worse, there is a possibility for extinction of the cultural identity, just like how the numerous local dialects in the country which got extinct during the process of putting English as the country’s unofficial second language. But why is there a threat that English may cause death of other languages and other cultures in a broader perspective? How did English land in this position of power in the first place? If we look at history, English started dominating back in the 16th century where the expansion of British Colonial power developed. Colonialism aside, the US being the leading economic power in the 20th century can also be considered a reason. English is now difficult to beat as the global language because it was systematically spread by its native speakers in such a way that helps them gain indirect control over other countries. Developing countries have been taught English and imposed to use it to prevent the nations’ independence in political and cultural development. This concept threatens nations from around the world today since there has always been an existing power struggle between all the countries around the world. This is the reason why English is seen as an imperialist language, spread by the economically powerful (Eckert, Johann, et. al.) To debunk this idea on the other hand, we may also look at globalization of English phenomena as a part of the natural process of language’s dynamic nature. It is also a language of neutral ideology made fit for globalization. English is voluntarily widely used by people from different nations as cross- border means of communication, which contributes to the continuing spread of the usage of the said language. (Eckert, Johann, et. al.) In this case, we can say that the English language is also threatened itself. It is more exposed to constant change that its fast evolution could even lead to its very extinction. Various types of English have emerged and were adopted by different nations to be their own. There is no need to be threatened by English or whatever cultural, economic, or societal connotation that comes with it since the language just acts according to the situation being shaped by the world. The metaphor used for English as a Trojan Horse in Cooke’s (1989) perspective, talks about several things, including death of many other languages, influence and/ or domination of an alien system in a nation and many other problems, as discussed in the article. Yes English has caused these many issued but it being compared to a Trojan Horse is not all there is about the language. Positive contributions are evident in the existence and dominance of the said language, the sole reason why it is being put in the spotlight of outright scrutiny. Our modern society does not give a room for black and white answers. The prominence of English as a global language does not necessarily have to be restricted as just a good or a bad thing, but agreeably a mixed blessing. The mere rise of issued concerning English and language in general gave people social awareness on the need to engage in discussion of the topic for it is connected to political and economic aspects. The fear of growing inequality amongst nations across the world educate people about the need to advocate programs and regulations for the oppressed countries, and present choices for better communication without jeopardizing identity over intelligibility. References Crystal, D. (1997). “Language: Medium, Barrier or Trojan Horse?”. Contribution to Cultural Diplomacy at the Crossroads: Cultural Relations in Europe and the Wider World, Wilton House. Eckert, T., Johann, A. et al. “Is English a ‘Killer Language’: The Globalisation of a Code”. eHISTling. Vol. 1. Johnson, A. “The Rise of English: The Language of Globalization in China and the Europian Union”. Macalester College. Powered by Bepress. “The Language Situation of Today’s World” (1999). Chapter 2. Commonwealth of Australia. Pennycook, A. (1994). “The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language”. Harlow, Essex, UK: Longman Group Limited. Qiang, N. & Wolff, M. “ENGLISH as a LANGUAGE: The Modern Day Trojan Horse?”. Read More