Globalisation and the spread of english in the modern world

GLOBALISATION AND THE SPREAD OF ENGLISH IN THE MODERN WORLD
Globalization and English language are said to work as pull factors for one another. English language plays a major role in the progress of Globalization. Globalization of trade and commerce, increasing diversities of work force with different setup values have increased the importance of English language usage.
Man has been using language as a medium of communication for the ages, today due to Globalization English language has become the most prized possession of communication. In this Global village, English language acts as a repository of wisdom and wit. English language is a propeller for advancement of career and a machine to mint money. And it is a telescope to view the vision of future. In this Global world, communication in English is now recognized as an inseparable part rather the life blood of every activity which occurs in our day to day life. Now a day’s every organization functions through a communication process, wherein mutually independent persons create and exchange messages to articulate and achieve commonly held objectives and goals.¹
English language can be rightly regarded as the key to the store house of production and productivity. We can make use of this language to promote our world view and spiritual heritage and promote cultural and traditional aspects across the globe. Globalization has brought English language into limelight. The scenario of the usage of the language has changed drastically. The Queen’s language has become a common man’s curriculum. The language has become a silver bowl to earn one’s bread and butter.
In this Global world English is the language of the latest business management. English language is not only a means for international commerce, it has become increasingly essential for inter-state commerce and communication. It is the official language of air transfers and shipping, the leading language of science and technology, computers and commerce and a major medium of education. In an era of increased communication through the telephones, fax machine, television and modem, the world is becoming more and more globally oriental. Business, families, friends and many other groups with common interests are able to form small tele or cyber communications that transcend geographical boundaries.
The word Globalization is the buzzing word to all economists, a magical word to entrepreneurs and a material word to the governments and all other business people. Globalization is the trump card for the rapid development across the globe in terms of language, culture, tradition, customs, lifestyle, economy and science and technology.
If we go back to the origin and existence of this term Globalization, the term has been there in the annals of history and it got its significance just a decade ago. It started on the point of business then spread like a wild fire to all aspects of human’s survival. Technological advances in production, transportation, and tele-communication and more advancement with internet the firms got access to customer’s supplies and collaborators around the world.
Globalization originated with trade and marketing and crossed the national boundaries to connect people. Globalization has brought everything together but the English language made Globalization more possible and effective one.
Due to globalization, English language emerged as a global force. As statistics say English language is the most widely spoken tongue in the world today. It is English language, however, a bigger impact on the world as a whole and has become the global de-facto standard used in business, cultural, political and linguistic exchange.
“English rules” is an old phrase, “English language rules” is the new phrase emerged out of Globalization. Knowledge of English is very essential because countries are becoming globally integrated and coupled with each other in all aspects in terms of culture, economy, trade and commerce. This integration can happen only when language spoken is the same.
As per the international publication “Economist”, said India has multi languages out of these English is the only language understood all over India. Language remains potentially a communicating medium capable of expressing ideas and concepts as well as moods, feelings, thoughts and ideas. English language has revolutionized science and technology. It has become the main tool in computer languages and components. The purpose of the language and its influence leading to common objective. Computers are the most important technical tool that has revolutionised all walks of life and communication is no exception to the phenomenon.²
The English language has taken u-turn after globalization. The musing language has become an item of economic value. Due to Globalization the companies are using English language as a medium to sell their products across the globe. There are constant advertisements in print and electronic media English language sweeps all the advertisements. Globalization leaves no stone unturned, as current Globalization seems to demand comprehensive transformation of a society, its impact on language and culture be detected in every facet of life.
The parliament has also recognized English as an official language in addition to Hindi. Realising the importance of English language then railway minister Laloo Prasad yadav demanded teaching of English language in schools. The greater demand for admission in English medium schools throughout the country is a testimony to the attraction of English to the people of India.
We can make use of English language to promote our world view and spiritual heritage throughout the globe. Some spiritual gurus have been using this language to establish cultural identity. Swami Vivekananda established our identity in overseas and manifested our culture with this language.
The main reasons for language Globalization are a] rule of British colonies b] exchange of socio-economic, political and technological advancements c] new trends in education system d] changing trends in market and world economy e] improved means of communication.
Here the very important way of promoting Globalization of language is through education, the policy of teaching a foreign language is a policy of globalization. It promotes the pulling down of linguistic barriers and encourages languages to travel freely across national frontiers. English language present enjoys a position second to none in the educational system of many countries including Arab world. Rampant use of English loan words in Japanese it is almost impossible to live in Japan without knowing English language.
There is no doubt that Globalization has changed the face of English language. In fact, Globalization has changed the life style of human beings altogether, the English language has given a new life to the modern man.
A sea change has taken place in the selection process especially at corporate sector that is because of Globalization. Communication in English is the major requirement in the day-to-day selection process.
Today English is news; the language continues to make news daily in many parts of the world. If English language is not your mother tongue you may still have mixed feelings about it. You may be strongly motivated to learn the English language because you know it will put you in touch with more people than any other language. It gives you scope to work anywhere across the globe. More over it will give you economic, political and cultural status in the society.
As I started “English” is a language before Globalization and “English” is the language after globalization and I end with the same phrase.
Finally, English and Globalization are inseparable, living one on another in the present day world like body and soul of a human being.³
English is currently the most-used language on earth. The number of non-native or second
language speakers of English now outnumbers those of primary or native speakers (Graddol,
1976). But have you ever wonder how did English language became the international
language? Why not other languages such as French, Russian, or German that became the
international language?
Before we begin, let’s see how English is used around the world. English is de facto global
lingua franca, which means a global language which is used between people who do not
speak one another's native language. It’s the language of global commerce, the main language
for international diplomacy, the language of air traffic control, the language for most
academic journals, and most importantly, the most common language for us that we see on
the internet. How did it became this way?
One of the reasons is because the role of United States of America and it’s global superpower.
USA had always become the centre of the attention for every other countries in the world.
That’s why many people learned english so hard. But that’s not just the only reason. One of
the other reason was the colonisation that was done by the British Empire. By 1922 the
British Empire covered almost a quarter area of the earth, and about 20% of the world's
population. Of course english was not the first language that became the international
language. In the 19^th century, it was French that became the most-used language. But in the
early 20 centuries, English surpassed French. This is caused by the strong economic power
shown by America in the first world war, and its role in the war increased its political
influence in Europe. After the war, the Treaty of Versailles was written not only in French,
but also in English. This signalled the start of English as a language of diplomacy. But it was
after WWII when English really began to develop into the main global lingua franca as the
United States developed more fully into a world superpower.
As USA grows with it’s power, advancements in technology gave rise to mass
communication and media. Which makes American movies, tv, and musics spread throughout
the world, exposing regular people to the English language. Many countries also made
English as a part of a school curriculum so that their students could know what does it looks
like on other country other than their own country.
One the last remaining obstacles to English truly becoming the world language was the USSR
during the Cold War. Russian was the lingua franca in most of the USSR's member states.
And scientific articles during that time were written mainly in either English or Russian. But
the decline and ultimate collapse of the USSR resulted in a decline in Russian as a lingua
franca and language of science. As the results, today over 96% of scientific articles are
written in English.
Moreover, globalization has solidified the position of English as a global language, with
people from all over the world interacting with each other more, and relying on the global
lingua franca. On top of that, the internet has accelerated that trend. English is the number 1
language online, and people from all over the world are constantly exposed to English online,
and communicate via social media with people from all over the world, mainly in English
(Rintaningrum, 2014).
As the results of English being the global lingua franca, today there are approximately 360
million native English speaker, and over a billion of people who speaks English as the
second language. Resulting almost 2 billion people on this earth who are able to speak
English. This might seems that English is going to be the global lingua franca for a long time,
but we don’t know yet what language will be the global lingua franca far in the future. On a
research about English proficiency as a subject in a university, further investigation and
analyses are needed for assessing, recording and developing English Foreign Language
Proficiency in order that the teaching and learning of English (where the major is not learning
the English language) can be effectively monitored and improved at the university
(Rintaningrum et al., 2017).
If you read this article, that means you’re able to speak English. Are you happy that you’re
able to speak the language that is being used as the global lingua franca currently? Or do you
think it doesn’t make any difference to your life? Well the answer lies to you, because some
people doesn’t see the benefits of learning global lingua franca, and the other feels like they
are able to see more opportunities around the world. So consider teaching English to your
children in the future, or it might not be English that became the global lingua franca. We’ll
never know
English is currently the most-used language on earth. The number of non-native or secondlanguage speakers of English now outnumbers those of primary or native speakers (Graddol,1976). But have you ever wonder how did English language became the internationallanguage? Why not other languages such as French, Russian, or German that became theinternational language?Before we begin, let’s see how English is used around the world. English is de facto globallingua franca, which means a global language which is used between people who do notspeak one another's native language. It’s the language of global commerce, the main languagefor international diplomacy, the language of air traffic control, the language for mostacademic journals, and most importantly, the most common language for us that we see onthe internet. How did it became this way?One of the reasons is because the role of United States of America and it’s global superpower.USA had always become the centre of the attention for every other countries in the world.That’s why many people learned english so hard. But that’s not just the only reason. One ofthe other reason was the colonisation that was done by the British Empire. By 1922 theBritish Empire covered almost a quarter area of the earth, and about 20% of the world'spopulation. Of course english was not the first language that became the internationallanguage. In the 19th century, it was French that became the most-used language. But in theearly 20 centuries, English surpassed French. This is caused by the strong economic powershown by America in the first world war, and its role in the war increased its politicalinfluence in Europe. After the war, the Treaty of Versailles was written not only in French,but also in English. This signalled the start of English as a language of diplomacy. But it wasafter WWII when English really began to develop into the main global lingua franca as theUnited States developed more fully into a world superpower.As USA grows with it’s power, advancements in technology gave rise to masscommunication and media. Which makes American movies, tv, and musics spread throughoutthe world, exposing regular people to the English language. Many countries also madeEnglish as a part of a school curriculum so that their students could know what does it lookslike on other country other than their own country.⁴
One the last remaining obstacles to English truly becoming the world language was the USSRduring the Cold War. Russian was the lingua franca in most of the USSR's member states.And scientific articles during that time were written mainly in either English or Russian. Butthe decline and ultimate collapse of the USSR resulted in a decline in Russian as a linguafranca and language of science. As the results, today over 96% of scientific articles arewritten in English.Moreover, globalization has solidified the position of English as a global language, withpeople from all over the world interacting with each other more, and relying on the globallingua franca. On top of that, the internet has accelerated that trend. English is the number 1language online, and people from all over the world are constantly exposed to English online,and communicate via social media with people from all over the world, mainly in English(Rintaningrum, 2014).As the results of English being the global lingua franca, today there are approximately 360million native English speaker, and over a billion of people who speaks English as thesecond language. Resulting almost 2 billion people on this earth who are able to speak English.⁵
This might seems that English is going to be the global lingua franca for a long time,but we don’t know yet what language will be the global lingua franca far in the future. On aresearch about English proficiency as a subject in a university, further investigation andanalyses are needed for assessing, recording and developing English Foreign LanguageProficiency in order that the teaching and learning of English (where the major is not learningthe English language) can be effectively monitored and improved at the university(Rintaningrum et al., 2017).If you read this article, that means you’re able to speak English. Are you happy that you’reable to speak the language that is being used as the global lingua franca currently? Or do youthink it doesn’t make any difference to your life? Well the answer lies to you, because somepeople doesn’t see the benefits of learning global lingua franca, and the other feels like theyare able to see more opportunities around the world. So consider teaching English to yourchildren in the future, or it might not be English that became the global lingua franca.
The term ‘the globalization of English’ can be interpreted in at least three ways. It can refer to the increasing intrusion of the English language into the lives of town and city dwellers all over the world. This is a worrying phenomenon. Not only does it threaten to contaminate or wipe out local languages and cultures, but it also skews the socioeconomic order in favour of those who are proficient in English. How should the non Englishspeaking world react? The globalization of English can also refer to the rapid spread of English as a second and foreign language. The world’s non-native speaker (NNS) to native speaker (NS) ratio for English is estimated to be between 2 to 1 and 4 to 1 (Crystal 1997; Graddol 1997). With this preponderance of NNS speakers of English, it seems clear that NNS–NNS communication is far more common than NS–NS or NNS–NS communication; in other words, English used as a lingua franca (ELF) is by far the most common form of English in the world today. But can ELF be considered a variety of English in its own right? Descriptions of World Englishes (e.g. Melchers and Shaw 2003) normally follow Kachru’s (1985) geographical classification into ‘inner circle’ countries (where English is generally the L1), ‘outer circle’ countries (where English plays an institutional role as an L2), and ‘expanding circle’ countries (where English is learnt as a foreign language). Inner circle Englishes have been described and codified, and outer circle varieties are also in the process of standardizing (Crystal 1997).
Should learners in expanding circle countries therefore continue to look upon NS English as their model? Or should they follow the example of outer circle countries and confidently develop their own standards of English based on effective NNS–NNS communication? How much should English teachers around the world know about and even participate in this development? Finally, the globalization of English can refer to changes taking place in all varieties of English due to contact with other varieties. Does this mean that English will become more homogeneous, unifying around one world standard? Or will it perhaps lead to NSs losing their role as custodians of the language? The Globalization of English and the English Language Classroom attempts to answer almost all the questions posed above. It is a collection of 17 papers given at a conference held in Braunschweig, Germany in 2003. Many of the authors are wellknown in the field and therefore in a good position to contribute to the discussion.⁶
The book is divided into five sections, each devoted to a particular dimension of global English or its implications for ELT. Section 1, ‘Political and sociocultural dimensions’. looks at some consequences of the globalization of English in two rapidly developing countries, South Africa and India. South Africa is often counted as an inner circle country, yet the majority of its citizens are not native speakers of English; in fact, it would be more accurate to locate South Africa in the outer circle. In her article, Janina Brutt-Griffler uses case studies to illustrate the point that poverty can condemn speakers of English as a second language to low English proficiency, which in turn blocks access to better-paid jobs. Those who, through language, are excluded from the chance to improve their socio-economic position naturally prefer to become more proficient in English rather than preserve their mother tongue. Brutt-Griffler argues that this spread of English to other social classes has nothing to do with linguistic imperialism, which is ethnically based, but is part of a class-based struggle. People need the opportunity to become high-proficiency bilinguals before they can become concerned with preserving their L1. In the second article in this section, Mahendra Verma depicts a similar situation in India: global English and IT ensure that economic (and political?) power belong to the ‘whiz kids’ of the new elite, whose parents can afford to send them to English-medium schools.
‘Linguistic and sociolinguistic exemplification’, is devoted to exemplifying the impact of English on other languages. Ulrich Busse summarizes research on English words assimilated into the German language, a phenomenon that has been going on for some time, but which has recently intensified. The German language is in no way threatened by borrowed English words, but Busse calls for development of a more critical attitude to the use of anglicisms in the media. Frauke Intemann follows on with an analysis of Aviation English, the formally prescribed and artificially restricted lingua franca used by pilots and air traffic controllers. Using authentic cockpit data, Intemann shows that NNS pilots and controllers also need to be able to understand spoken NS English, and that their NS colleagues should be made aware of communication difficulties caused by deviation from Aviation English phraseology. Finally, in the last article in this section, Christiane Meierkord investigates the nature of the global English lexicon, which can be imagined as the product of verbal interaction in the Englishes of speakers from the inner, outer and expanding circles. She then analyses examples from her own (still rather small) corpus of ‘Interactions across Englishes’ to characterize the properties of this new, hybrid lexicon. Section 3, ‘Teaching and learning English in a global context’, actually contains little about teaching and learning, but a great deal about the question of standard forms and models for global English. Since the newly developed lingua franca varieties of English have not yet been codified, Claus Gnutzmann argues, Standard English (i.e. NS English) should continue to be used as the linguistic model for ELT in Europe, although ‘teaching models will have to become as tolerant of errors as possible’ (p.117). Barbara Seidlhofer replies by pointing out that, rather than being monolithic, Standard English is in fact something linguists find rather hard to define. She then goes on to critically review and debunk arguments favouring NS language norms in ELT. Jennifer Jenkins reinforces the argument for an ELF model, summarizing her by now well-known work on a new core pronunciation model for international English (Jenkins 2000), which legitimizes NNS accents. In the second half of her article, Jenkins considers the implications of this model for teaching, and outlines the pedagogical steps teachers would need to take in teaching pronunciation for ELF.
In her contribution, Svenja Adolfs emphasizes the point that NS English does not always provide a model for NNSs, reporting on how international students become disillusioned in their desire to imitate NSs when they encounter local dialects during studies in Britain. As a result, many students change their goals from sounding like a NS to understanding NSs and being understood in their own NNS variety. Finally, Allan James considers evidence for the existence of identifiable ELF varieties. After first identifying several general linguistic features, he argues that, because of the specific situations in which ELF arises, descriptions must also be related to sociocultural aspects of use
English is currentl the most-used language on earth. The number of non-native or second language speakers of English now outnumbers those of primary or native speakers (Graddol,1976). But have you ever wonder how did English language became the international language? Why not other languages such as French, Russian, or German that became theinternational language?
Before we begin, let’s see how English is used around the world. English is de facto globallingua franca, which means a global language which is used between people who do not speak one another's native language. It’s the language of global commerce, the main language for international diplomacy, the language of air traffic control, the language for most academic journals, and most importantly, the most common language for us that we see on the internet. How did it became this way? One of the reasons is because the role of United States of America and it’s global superpower. USA had always become the centre of the attention for every other countries in the world. That’s why many people learned english so hard. But that’s not just the only reason. One of the other reason was the colonisation that was done by the British Empire. By 1922 the British Empire covered almost a quarter area of the earth, and about 20% of the world's population. Of course english was not the first language that became the international language. In the 19th century, it was French that became the most-used language. But in the
early 20 centuries, English surpassed French. This is caused by the strong economic power shown by America in the first world war, and its role in the war increased its political influence in Europe. After the war, the Treaty of Versailles was written not only in French, but also in English. This signalled the start of English as a language of diplomacy. But it was
after WWII when English really began to develop into the main global lingua franca as the United States developed more fully into a world superpower.
As USA grows with it’s power, advancements in technology gave rise to mass ommunication and media. Which makes American movies, tv, and musics spread throughout
the world, exposing regular people to the English language. Many countries also made
English as a part of a school curriculum so that their students could know what does it looks
like on other country other than their own country.
One the last remaining obstacles to English truly becoming the world language was the USSR
during the Cold War. Russian was the lingua franca in most of the USSR's member states.
And scientific articles during that time were written mainly in either English or Russian. But
the decline and ultimate collapse of the USSR resulted in a decline in Russian as a lingua
franca and language of science. As the results, today over 96% of scientific articles are
written in English.
Moreover, globalization has solidified the position of English as a global language, with
people from all over the world interacting with each other more, and relying on the global
lingua franca. On top of that, the internet has accelerated that trend. English is the number 1
language online, and people from all over the world are constantly exposed to English online,
and communicate via social media with people from all over the world, mainly in English
(Rintaningrum, 2014).
As the results of English being the global lingua franca, today there are approximately 360
million native English speaker, and over a billion of people who speaks English as the
second language. Resulting almost 2 billion people on this earth who are able to speak
English. This might seems that English is going to be the global lingua franca for a long time,
but we don’t know yet what language will be the global lingua franca far in the future. On a
research about English proficiency as a subject in a university, further investigation and
analyses are needed for assessing, recording and developing English Foreign Language
Proficiency in order that the teaching and learning of English (where the major is not learning
the English language) can be effectively monitored and improved at the university
(Rintaningrum et al., 2017).
If you read this article, that means you’re able to speak English. Are you happy that you’re
able to speak the language that is being used as the global lingua franca currently? Or do you
think it doesn’t make any difference to your life? Well the answer lies to you, because some
people doesn’t see the benefits of learning global lingua franca, and the other feels like they
are able to see more opportunities around the world. So consider teaching English to your
children in the future, or it might not be English that became the global lingua franca. We’ll
never know

REFERENCES

1. Crystal, D. (2001). Language and the Internet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

2. Graddol, David (1998). The Future of English. London: The British Council.
3. Jenkins, Jennifer (2003). World English. London: Routledge.
4. Mc Kay, Sandu (2002). Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5. Graddol, D. (1976). The future of english. The Round Table, 66(261), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358537608453197
6. Rintaningrum, R., Aldous, C., & Keeves, J. P. (2017). the Influence of Student Background Characteristics on Proficiency in English As a Foreign Language: Indonesian Context. Jurnal Sosial Humaniora, 10(2), 112. https://doi.org/10.12962/j24433527.v10i2.3068
7. Rintaningrum, R. (2014). Peranan Bahasa Inggris (Global) Dalam Dunia Tekn ologi Entrepreneur Di Era Asean Economic Community. Seminar Nasional Dinamika Dan Tantangan Technopreneurship, September 2014.

1^ Crystal, D. (2001). Language and the Internet. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

2^ Graddol, David (1998). The Future of English. London: The British Council.

3^ Jenkins, Jennifer (2003). World English. London: Routledge.

4^ Mc Kay, Sandu (2002). Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Graddol, D. (1976). The future of english. The Round Table, 66(261), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358537608453197

5^ Rintaningrum, R., Aldous, C., & Keeves, J. P. (2017). the Influence of Student Background Characteristics on Proficiency in English As a Foreign Language: Indonesian Context. Jurnal Sosial Humaniora, 10(2), 112. https://doi.org/10.12962/j24433527.v10i2.3068

6^ Rintaningrum, R. (2014). Peranan Bahasa Inggris (Global) Dalam Dunia Tekn ologi Entrepreneur Di Era Asean Economic Community. Seminar Nasional Dinamika Dan Tantangan Technopreneurship, September 2014.