English as Global Language
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English has become a global language due to the historical political and economic power of its native speakers. A global language is characterized by its large number of native and non-native speakers, its geographical distribution, and its use in international organizations and diplomacy. English first spread globally through the British Empire between the 17th and 20th centuries, institutionalizing it in former colonies. American cultural dominance in the 20th century through music, film, technology and business has further consolidated English's position as the dominant global language today. English is now used internationally across many domains including academia, science, aviation, business and pop culture.
English as Global Language
- 3. There is no official definition of "global" or "world" language, but it essentially refers to a language that is learned and spoken internationally, and is characterized not only by the number of its native and second language speakers, but also by its geographical distribution, and its use in international organizations and in diplomatic relations. A global language acts as a “lingua franca”, a common language or dialect systematically used to make communication possible between people who do not share a native language or dialect, in particular.
- 4. History shows us that a language becomes a global language mainly due to the political power of its native speakers, and the economic power with which it is able to maintain and expand its position. Latin was the lingua franca of its time, although it was only ever a minority language within the Roman Empire as a whole. Crucially, though, it was the language of the powerful leaders and administrators and of the Roman military - and, later, of the ecclesiastical power of the Roman Catholic Church -
- 5. It was British imperial and industrial power that sent English around the globe between the 17th and 20th Century. The legacy of British imperialism has left many counties with the language thoroughly institutionalized in their courts, parliament, civil service, schools and higher education establishments. In other counties, English provides a neutral means of communication between different ethnic groups.
- 6. It has been largely American economic and cultural supremacy - in music, film and television; business and finance; computing, information technology and the Internet; even drugs - that has consolidated the position of the English language and continues to maintain it today. American dominance and influence worldwide makes English crucially important for developing international markets, especially in the areas of tourism and advertising, and mastery of English also provides access to scientific, technological and academic resources which would otherwise be denied developing countries.
- 7. Books Newspapers Airports Air traffic control International business & Academic conferences Science Technology Diplomacy Sports International competitions Pop music Advertising
- 8. If your ambitions lie in science or medicine, you can’t neglect English either. Much of the technical terminology is based on English words, and if you want to learn about the latest developments and discoveries from around the world, you’ll read about them in journals and research reports published in English, no matter whether the scientists who wrote them are from China or Norway.