how and why did English become a global language

Question 1

How did English become a global language

Answer 1

Spread through popular culture – music (Beatles), film (Hollywood), sport (Premier League football, NBA basketball… - global appeal)
SPIT TIM – it’s down to society, politics…
Travel – most people will visit countries in which English is used at some stage
Intellectual reasons – English needed in academic study
Hope/opportunity attached to English – 1.5 billion users worldwide – often English viewed as a language you need to progress your life (in Asia, in Europe…) – social mobility
Technology – internet predominately English
Economics – advertising, company communications

Question 2

diaspora definition?

Answer 2

spreading or dispersal

Question 3

english as a lingua franca?

Answer 3

English acts as a common language among speakers whose first language is not English.

Question 4

what are the benefits of using english in India?

Answer 4

Economic benefit (goods) – 50% higher trade between countries when have a language in common (English = lingua franca) (Melitz and Toubal), allows trade with USA/UK/Australia, reduces poverty

Economic benefit (services) – ICT, call centre jobs

Allows Indians to work in USA/UK – at helm of Microsoft/Google, in academia

Question 5

what are the drawbacks of using English in India?

Answer 5

English is the language of the British empire/colonisers (India independent since 1947) – “inherited from the Britishers”, “they (invaders) ruled us, they ruined us. Not only they ruined us economically, they ruined us mentally also”

Indians should be proud of their own native languages – “Remember your mother and father who gave you birth….remember your mother tongue…we have beautiful languages…we should always respect them.”