Did you ever think that one language would have so much power internationally? I for sure didn’t even know that English existed in all nations. I am amazed that English has been the main way for communication throughout all of our countries. I am not a techie or into business so that probably explains so of my naiveness.
The English language is global; so many people are adapting this language and will no doubt make it the “lingua franca,” or the universal language. What does this mean to our language, in general? If everyone is speaking it, will it all be the same English language? Is a native born speaker from California going to speak and understand English the same as an English speaking man from Japan? The answer is, most likely, NO. So how is this globalization of English going to change our language? There is no doubt that there is an impact on English as a language, but how much of an impact is the question. English has already different ways of speaking it, right? In the states, we basically have variations ranging from the north and south; New Yorkers, Texans, even California has our own a style of the English language. Slang was not part of the English language when our nation started speaking it. Some slang words, I remember, you couldn’t even find in the dictionary. (I never did like SCRABBLE that much after I found that truth out.) So my point is that the English language has not been original for a long time, and yes, we still have our rules and structure, but hasn’t the necessary of that even depleted a little through time? I do think we need this structure in our English language, and without it, are we going to understand it the same way? As we learn about English, our primary goal is the get our English structures correct so we can effectively portray what we want to say, either in speech or writing. Proper English is essential in writing, and I think it always will be. Speaking, on the other hand, is a challenge for both natives and non-natives to communicate with each other. Different body languages have multiple meanings across the globe, so what there to say that English words won’t have different meanings or multiple meanings in other countries. It’s no longer American’s language, it’s everyone’s now. Every country makes the language their own; interpreting it in their own fitting ways. English may be the way of science, computers, business, politics, and the way of the world, yet, who’s English is it? The evolution of the English language is a constant change, but I think English may be the best way of building a stronger nation. It is exciting to see so many people and cultures wanting to embrace into one main language, but I wonder if later in time, are languages like Spanish and Latin still exist? Language evolution creates problems and misunderstanding, obviously, so I think both natives and foreigners will have to tolerate and learn the ever-changing, English.
Every time I get the chance to converse with someone from a foreign country, I take for granted the fact that our conversation is in English. I mean, think about it.... it's unlikely that you would be able to communicate with them in their native tongue because the standards in the United States are entirely different than those outside of this country. As far as I'm concerned, if you speak another language or decide to learn one, it's on your own account. There are minimal requirements here regarding foreign language, if any. For the most part you take one or two years of foreign language in high school and you don't really “learn” the language, you just experience it and learn a few simple words and phrases.
ReplyDeleteThe English language has been adopted by various people in different countries as a standard. I believe it's because of how influential the United States is and the amount of power they have in the world. Learning the English language is considered beneficial if you plan to do things such as travel as its likely that someone will speak English even when they are outside the United States. Even when it's a different version of the English language, as you said, it brings people together.
I agree I was shocked to learn that this was even an issue. I did not think that it was a big deal. I thought we have technology to translate (though it leaves room for errors) so why make it an issue. I too did not realize how many countries actually had English in them. I know that there are many different languages but since English is the combination of them should it not be the common language. I do not see the problem in globalize English. I understand that we need to ask ourselves what is it going to do to our language but I do not think that we can worry about it. To me English seems the best choice. And I agree eventually people are going to have to learn and accept it.
ReplyDeleteI have had the chance to work with people that do not speak English. I know only a little bit of Spanish and that is it for me. So I think that I take for granted the fact that I know English because I think that for the people who do not know English it would be much better and easier for them if they did.
Being the son of an English teacher I still get corrected by my mother for "incorrect English." What that is is still not clear in my mind. This was before the invention of the internet and the latest movement towards the globalization of English. When I get corrected I try to stand up for my generation and explain that I speak "modern" English and not that traditional English with rules that mean something to some but nothing to many others.
ReplyDeleteIn the United States, dialects have changed the ways people use the language and in proper pronunciation in different regions of the country. Even though these dialects seem so different the same basic words and rules are at it's core. I can understand any one of them with very little thought.
Just as we have developed different versions of our primary language, so will different cultures across the Earth. The ability to communicate between these will not be lost no more than within our country. As David Crystal said we will become a world with "tri-English" that is slightly different from region to region. You will have one dialect for us at home, another for use at work and still one that is more standard for use with foreigners. All three will still have the same basic words and will communicate efficiently between them.
Language is evolving and each distinct culture will continue to try to express it in their own way. As long as the greatest economy in the world has the language of English at it's core, so will the planet want to turn to it.