Impact of English Language on globalization and Cultural Homogenization - Coursework Example

Impact of English Language on globalization and Cultural Homogenization Introduction There are multiple domains in which English as a language plays similar roles, economy and business being one of those salient domains (MckaySanda 45). In many parts of the world, English continues to take the place of privilege. It belongs to and is widely used by the ruling system, education, diplomacy, trade, and business. In order to understand the role of English in the complex global world, it is worth thinking outside questions of cultural empires and language communities. The notion and the idea of language communities posits problematic commonality in terms of the assumptions of the word community and the premises behind the use of the term language (Alastair 65). The premises behind cultural empires is also problematic. It, however, equally suggests some form of commonality, albeit the imposed one. This, therefore, implies that English represents a similarity of thought and culture. In both cases, the notions tend to suggest some level of homogeneity occurring as a result of shared language. The alternative versions of spread of English globally proposes a heterogeneous versions, in which there are many worlds and many Englishes. There has divergence views on the impact of English language on globalization and cultural homogenization. For some studies, English language impacts negatively to globalization and cultural homogenization leading to colonization and imperialism, for some English impact positively on globalization and cultural homogeneity (MckaySanda 90). This paper investigated the relationship between English Language and globalization and cultural homogenization. It sought to argue that the English language impact positively, as well as negatively on globalization and cultural homogeneity. Importance of Language Language is one of the most vital tools that distinguishes the capacity of humans, placing them at the top of an evolutionary ladder (Neuliep 246). Steger (56) the Linguist and Antropologist, argued that language has an effect on people belonging to the area they live. According to Steger (42), language affects the people’s thinking, how they perceive the world, how they view their social and natural environments. Whorf adds that people’s language determines their varied views points that helps them perceive the world differently. This led to Whorf-Sapir Hypothesis, which is grounded on two principles: the principle of linguistic relativity and the principle of linguistic determinism. The former posits that what an individual thinks is determined by the language he/she speaks while the later suggests that different world views as seen by speakers are based in their different languages they belong. In other discourses, it is believed that the language of a person depends on the grammar and vocabulary structure corresponding to the nonverbal culture. This nonverbal culture depends on the kinesic, proxemics, spatial and geographical aspects of culture (Steger 24). On one hand, various forms of grammar and vocabulary and the attached meanings to the language is seen as a form of culture. As such culture and language are inextricably linked. On the other hand, language of group defines their cultural identity and cultural group that strengthens their social bonds (Waters 67). Language makes it possible for people from varied cultural backgrounds to communicate. This enriches their professional and personal connectivity. Language is important for the knowledge-based skills and attitudes that incorporate customs, ideas, values and habits which together enables people to participate international, regional and local subjects. It enriches one’s professional and personal life. These two attributes characterize the impact of language in the social-cultural globalized process. Language determines people’s historical tradition and their respective culture, which are rooted in their behaviour and attitudes. In the socio-cultural perspective domain (Neuliep 45). Waters (3) defines the term globalization as a process upon which constraints of geography on cultural and social arrangements recede. One in which people become aware that they are increasingly receding (Waters 43). Within the discourse of globalization, terms attributed to global effects of culture are “Cocacolonization” “Westernization” and “Mcdonalization” which are widely talked about (Janina 32). The ‘Westernization’ draws much of the critique from these terms on account of their relative effects. Additionally, factors influencing the globalization process are met through tastes and preferences, and symbols of values, and not through political exchanges and economic materials. Britain and the United States have had an upper in establishing English language as a global language. This is because of their strong economic and political power. The use of English language in various fields including science, commerce, air-traffic control, popular music, publishing science, and technology are mostly drawn from the aforementioned countries forming a well-known “world language”. English Language in the Globalization Era English language widely cited as the most well-known and widely spoken language globally. Globalization has increasingly become the buzzword being talked about everywhere in the world. In fact, there are extensive literatures relating to it. However, there is not much literature specifically relating English language and globalization as much as the literature on English is concerned. English competence is seen as an important tool for survival in the globalization era. English is a language that is predominantly used in most computers. In the present globalization world, English language plays a big role in specifying the dominance of those who communicate through it. As such, it affects social cultural identities. English language is at the centre of the dominance of international commerce and politics. Besides, it is the important in establishing culture and links. In the European Union, there is also much visibility on English language as the dominant language. In central Europe, understanding English language has become the basic skills for modern adaptability. Therefore, it is undeniable that English language is an international language which makes it possible for people to understand the world better and communicate smoothly. It enables people from different cultural background to communicate with each other, come closer through the available communicative mode of interactions. Currently, English language is regarded as the world’s dominant language. It is more popular than French language which is losing ground of priority in very day life and in studies. There are controversial issues surrounding the conceptualization of English as a global language. Even though it has marked its potency as a standardized form among the languages spoken worldwide, English language has been critiqued for its associated limitations. It cannot be applicable to every speaking communities or country in the world. Tam and Weiss (65) indicates that majority of citizens in the world do not speak English Language whether as a second foreign language or mother tongue. As such Shailaja (65) urges scholars to investigate this matter to find out whether English really serves citizens’ needs or if its use truly serves the better of every person in the world so as to warrant being considered the world language. Most of decisions affecting the population across the world are often taken in English including the scholars and educational academics. As such it has been questioned as to whether English does serve interest of everyone in the world. In India, the colonial legacy of using English has been said to capture not only the region’s territory and economy, but has also conquered people’s minds that further states that the British economic policy was based on creating ‘A’ class persons, Indians in color and blood, English in opinion, taste, Intellect and morals. Similarly, English language dominates every educational institutions and universities. It is used for distance education purposes and policies. Critiquing the dominance and diffusion of English language, Sonntag (75) indicates that the promotion of one culture (U.S’s) and one language (English) at the expense of other languages through linguistic imperialism with the system of ideologies and production, leads to an economically exploitative and expansionist world order. Sonntag (74) argues that there is need to bring a shift in the language planning paradigms so that English Language does not destroy and sustain the world’s multi-lingual ethos. As English spreads throughout the world, preserving one’s own language that is incorporates the person’s cultural setting is important. On this account, it is known that besides mother tongue, there are many people worldwide who speak English. This affects their identities. With regard to this, it has been argued that the constant and prominent use of English lead to reduced cultural attachments. According to Vaish (82) the local language diminishes at the expense of English. Vaish (91) stresses that the linguistic diversity should be preserved to help one’s culture to prevail. In the globalization process, the World Bank retains the role and use of English language as a pioneer of the world’s educational policy alongside other transnational corporations such as the EU, while there are corporations that provide and aid funding projects with the objective of upgrading their business for purposes of English and making use of English for business purposes. Sinagatullin (67) alleged that Britain make use of English as a toll for competency and economic development. (Sinagatullin (72) contents that Britain’s policy is to expand its culture overseas from a viewpoint of cultural globalization. Globalization being the spark of multiple ongoing factors among world nations, even the use of present IT characterizes English language as the world’s e-learning. English language as the supposedly language of the present electronic globalization and the language of geographic globalization, impacts on related cultural imperialism. This effect that English has on the colonized nations and their cultures is understood to negatively impact on preserving one’s original culture and identity. In connection to this, it is argued that English as a language spoken globally, destructs the non-English Speaking countries. This is understood as affecting the local cultural lives of these communities. The British culture has been considered as the world’s most dominant culture when it comes to cultural imperialism effect. This is also because of its influence on world educational culture from Australia, Africa, America and Asia. Besides, British culture has created a form of community different from its cultural background. On this basis, English language has been criticized for leading a devalued form of people’s own language within the community practices involving beliefs, customs, preferred form of lives, and laws, which have in turn made people’s culture to stray from the original belonging. The imperialistic nature of English in the process of globalization is seen at two theories: the Grassroots Theory and the Exploitation Theory. The former is the imperialistic approach while the latter takes a neutral approach. Impact of English on Cultural homogenization and globalization After world war II, the globalization brought with it free trade agreements, which further resulted into increased transfer of goods (cultural and economic). Economically, there were trade, transportation and production while cultural benefits included cultural transfers in form of art, music, lifestyles, fashion and communication via language and World Wide Web. The aspect of transfer of goods and services in the process of globalization makes English Language an important aspect. This in turn impacts the level of linkages of communicators, both locally and internationally. This makes English language the dominant part of communication process globally. The ushering in of global effect and information technology so the definition of geographical colonization become extinct. The outcome was electronic globalization, which plays a key role in the social-cultural aspect of people’s life. With this, local people’s lives can be stretched out and lived through electronic ways of sharing knowledge and ideas. English is used predominantly as a global mode of communication. It has a greater impact in the culture characterized by modernized e-language through the diffusion of sharing of culture. English language is therefore, characterized by the impact it has on heterogeneity and homogeneity of world cultures despite the criticism that it is based on its strategies and colonization mission that further aggravates the problem experienced by the non-English speaking people. It enables an individual to identify different cultures in the world and to view oneself within the diverse set of practices and cultural background in the world. In some studies, it has been argued that communities expressing their cultures and languages are learning how to become homogenized. English is owned by America and Britain alone. It belongs and used by everyone. Additionally, Block (53) argued that English language belongs to everyone in the world and all the cultures and practices of other languages are vanishing or becoming of no use any longer. The technological and globalization intervention had led to most popular forms of web-based English language, which has in turn led to formation of new forms of language and culture authenticity. Web-based English language has caused communication to be intensified. It has also intensified sharing of cultures worldwide across various communities. English language has impacts various aspects including economic-business, socio-cultural, education and other factors. The use of English has opened windows to the world and it is believed to promote economic progress and better means of communicating international understandings. According to Vaish (95) English language taking over the communicative process of the world and the local culture too. As to whether English is a kills other languages or not, it has been argued that it is not because it acts as per the dominance or situation. The important aspect of English is that it has been adopted to help express other cultures and languages. Furthermore, it does not impose application of vocabularies to other communities. It has not been the cause of borderless world, a global culture, or a techno-driven on the virtual/real basis of internet connectivity. Work Cited Alastair Penny Cook. Nationalism, Identity and Popular Culture.” Sociolinguistics and Language Education: New perspective on language and education edited by Nancy H. Hamburger and Sandra Lee Mackay. 60-89. MckaySanda Lee. “English as an International Language.” Sociolinguistics and Language Education: New perspective on language and education edited by Nancy H. Homberger and Sandra Lee Mackay. 89-115. Neuliep William. Intercultural communication: a contextual approach. Houghton Mifflin Co., 2000. Print Waters Malcolm. Globalization (Key Ideas). New York, NY: Routledge, 2001. Print. Janina, Brutt-Griffler. World English. Multilingual Matters. New York, NY: Havard, 2002. Print. Tam Kwok-kan, and Weiss Timothy. English and Globalization: Perspectives from Hong Kong and Mainland China. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press. 2004, Print. Shailaja Damodar. Revolution, Globalization And The Teaching Of English. New York, NY: Atlantic Publishers & Dist, 2001.Print. Vaish Viniti. Biliteracy and Globalization: English Language Education in India. Multilingual Matters. New York, NY: Havard, 2008, Print. Block David. Globalization and Language Teaching. New York, NY: Routledge, 2002, Print. Sonntag Selma. The Local Politics of Global English: Case Studies in Linguistic Globalization. New York, NY: Havard, 2004, Print. Sinagatullin Le Ilghiz. The impact of globalization on education. New York, NY: xington Books, 2003, Print. Manfred Steger. Globalization. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2010, Print. Read More