Communication Strategies - Coursework Example

Communication Strategies Communication Strategies Part Could English ever become a truly international language like Esperanto was meant to be? Why or why not? Give at least one reason supporting your position. A research on the English language as spoken by various people all over the world reveal the following relevant facts: “(1) English is the most widespread language in the world and is more widely spoken and written than any other language; (2) over 400 million people use the English vocabulary as a mother tongue, only surpassed in numbers, but not in distribution by speakers of the many varieties of Chinese; and (3) over 700 million people, speak English, as a foreign language” (English Lanuage, 2011, pars. 5 – 7), among others.

Using the information, English can become a truly international language for an important reason. As indicated by Crystal (2003), “a language has traditionally become an international language for one chief reason: the power of its people – especially their political and military power” (9). The author likewise added that “international language dominance is not solely the result of military might… but it takes an economically powerful one to maintain and expand it” (10). Since the United States has assumed supremacy in terms of economy and political power, their language – English, is deemed crucial to be learned by other nations to facilitate communication and enhance understanding in various international transactions with them.

Part 2: As we have seen, culture plays a huge role in guiding not only what we talk about, but even how we talk about those things. If English continues to be a popular second language for many people internationally, do you think that several different varieties of English will develop? And if so, how do you think the Englishes will vary and why? (For instance, in syntax, semantics, pragmatics, etc.) Culture plays a crucial role in influencing diverse varieties of English in terms of incorporating changes in grammar, pragmatic particles, and lexical items, rhythm and intonation, among others (Tan, n.d.).

Therefore, several English varieties have indeed developed. According to Tan, new Englishes “are the result of the transformation of English in interaction with the life of its new contexts, as it adapts itself to handle new objects, relationships, experiences, etc. and develops new resources to carry and express new meanings, cultures and viewpoints. Various terms can be used including transplantation (they are ‘transplanted varieties with their own distinct ecologies, contexts and functions’ (Kachru, The Alchemy of English)), indigenisation and nativisation” (Tan, n.d, par. 27).

The contentions were validated by Erling (2006) when she stated that new Englishes “has become ‘nativized’ by its users who have adopted some linguistic features which vary from British or American norms, such as varying pronunciation and intonation patterns; a slight difference in grammar and sentence structure; and, most noticeably, different words and expressions, which include borrowings from contact languages” (405). The reasons why these new Englishes emerged and varied were presented by Kandiah (1999) as it was indicated that New Englishes, having been developed by their users and their communities for their own needs and understandings, have self-identificational value for their users.

They like and value these forms; they help them to construct and project their own sense of reality, values, concerns, and help them make their voices heard in ways that are most valid for them. They compel recognition of who and what they are. We need to recognize the hegemony of various languages and counter this with our own understandings (Kandiah, 1999, 1). By incorporating elements of the native language, new Englishes prove the significant role that culture plays in its development and use in contemporary global communication.

References Crystal, D. (2003). English as a global language. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press. English Language. (2011). English Language Statistics. Retrieved 13 March 2011. Erling, E. (2006). “Englishes/New Englishes/World Englishes.” An Encyclopedia of the Arts. 4(5): 405 – 410. Kandiah, T. (1999). Review of English in New Cultural Contexts: Reflections from Singapore - Chapter 3, ``The Emergence of New Englishes". Retrieved 13 March 2011. Tan, P. (n.d.). The non-Anglo Englishes (NEs).

Retrieved 13 March 2011. < http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elltankw/history/NE.htm>