lingua franca/ globalisation Flashcards
paragraph plans:
- pros of english as lingua franca
- Uganda
- eurovision
definition:
‘A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.’
intro:
Why the world is going to be stuck with English for a very long time
English is spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but do the development of translation technology and “hybrid” languages threaten its status?
According to a study published by Cambridge University Press, up to 350 million people there have at least some knowledge of English - and at least another 100 million in India.
There are probably more people in China who speak English as a second language than there are Americans who speak it as their first. (A fifth of Americans speak a language other than English in their own homes.)
But for how much longer will English qualify as the “world’s favourite language”? The World Economic Forum estimates about 1.5 billion people around the world speak it - but fewer than 400 million have it as their first language.
pro’s paragraph:
A Universal language can play a pivotal role in advancing human societies, we can gain and exchange information quicker and easier.
English is the first global lingua franca, which puts it in a very useful position, not because it is better than other languages, but simply because it got there first, and there is no major expansion of globalisation to shift the balance to another language. Today there are far more non-native English speakers than native speakers, and this means that English isn’t about the USA or the UK, but instead about its international use across cultures. Every day, people who don’t share a language but also who are not native speakers of English, from countries where English is not an official language, communicate to each other in English—for business, for government, for tourism, etc.
Uganda paragraph:
In Uganda, however, all secondary schools must conduct classes entirely in English, and some parents teach their young children English as their first language. In many parts of the world, English is still regarded as a passport to success.
So is the future of English at risk? I don’t think so, although its global dominance may well diminish over the coming decades. Like all languages, it is constantly changing and adapting to new needs. Until recently, “text” and “friend” were simple nouns. Now, they are also verbs, as in “I’ll text you,” or “Why don’t you friend me?”
Computerised translation technology, the spread of hybrid languages, the rise of China - all pose real challenges. But I continue to count myself immensely fortunate to have been born in a country where I can cherish and call my own the language of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton and Dickens, even though the language I call English is very different from theirs.
eurovision paragraph:
The Eurovision Songs Contest, a beloved international music competition, has provided a platform for diverse cultures, languages, and talents to come together from across Europe and beyond. However, one notable aspect that requires exploration is the overwhelming dominance of English in the songs performed
- Preserving Cultural Identity
Singing in one’s native language for their Eurovision songs serves as a crucial means of preserving cultural identity. Language is an essential component of any culture, carrying within it the history, traditions, and unique nuances of a people. By performing in their native language, artists have the opportunity to express their emotions and convey the very essence of their culture to a global audience. It allows them to bring forth their own authentic stories and experiences, providing a powerful representation of the diversity that Europe prides itself on. In the history of eurovision, there have been 31 English-speaking winners and 36 non-English-speaking winners. Only after 1999, contestors were allowed to sing in any language
Iceland:
Americanisms:
Despite having been born, raised and educated on British shores, it seems my mother tongue has been irreparably corrupted by the linguistic equivalent of the grey squirrel. And I’m not alone. Whether you’re a lover or a loather of phrases like “Can I get a decaf soy latte to go?”, chances are your vocabulary has been similarly colonised.
cons:
- someone’s language represents their culture and identity
- living in a period of English language dominance is not necessarily a good thing
- may lose precious diversity
- David Crystal: linguistic devastation has happened in Australia, 90% of aboriginal languages dead
- David Crystal: it will be the greatest intellectual disaster that the planet has ever known
