The massive increase of English speakers around the world who speak it at all different levels of proficiency, for any variety of purposes and with (other) non-native speakers has sparked some concerns and controversies.
Some are concerned that its wide spread and the emergence and institutionalisation of new ‘Englishes’ will lead to a language fragmentation that could ultimately result in mutual unintelligibility. The question of who holds authority over English today is causing heated discussions.
Teaching practices for English as a foreign language are yet another contentious subject. For the most part, English teaching is still oriented towards British or North American varieties, and a learner’s proficiency is measured in relation to those norms. Some, however, demand that English teaching practices take into account that usage situations and requirements for English have changed, and that teachers prepare students for international communication rather than communication with Americans or British.
The issue with perhaps the greatest political significance is that of linguistic imperialism. As English, particularly the ‘prestige varieties’ British and American, are being taught to more and more people across the world, some have voiced their concern that this “compromises the cultural integrity of the non-native speaker”. There is a fear that English might suppress or even replace local languages and be used as a tool to spread Anglo-American cultural hegemony.
This essay gives first a rough overview over who speaks English in the world today. It then briefly discusses some of the attempts by scholars to categorise this immense number of ddifferent people, focusing particularly on Kachru’s model of the spread of English. It addresses some of the factors that lead to the emergence of new varieties of English, describing Nigerian English and China English in more detail by way of an example. Linguistic imperialism is discussed subsequently as one particularly controversial issue relating to the rise of English to one of the world’s most predominant languages.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Who speaks English?
3. Kachru and the spread of English around the world
4. The emergence of “new Englishes”
5. Nigeria
6. China
7. Linguistic Imperialism
8. Contrasting views
9. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the global spread of the English language, exploring the sociolinguistic implications of its status as a global lingua franca, the emergence of localized varieties, and the contentious political debate surrounding linguistic imperialism.
- The demographic distribution of English speakers worldwide.
- Theoretical models of English, specifically Kachru’s "Three Circle Model."
- The sociolinguistic development of localized varieties such as Nigerian English and China English.
- The critique of English as a neo-colonial tool versus its role as a flexible, pragmatic international language.
Excerpt from the Book
Linguistic Imperialism
The debate on which language varieties are legitimate, which are most appropriate for certain parts of the world, and if and how they should be taught in classrooms, is one that scholars engage in fervently. This is not surprising, as it is not just a linguistic and academic issue but one that carries considerable ideological and political weight. What is more, there are those who see the global spread of any form of English in the scope it has reached today as a cause for alarm (Phillipson, 1992; Pennycook, 1994; Canagarajah, 1999).
In Expanding circle countries, the discussion mostly revolves around whether an external native speaker variety, such as British or American English, should be taught in classrooms, or a model adapted to local realities, such as China English, or a lingua franca model, designed to prepare students for communication with other non-native speakers around the world (Kirkpatrick, 2006). I will not discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option here. Instead, I will focus on the politically more charged debate on linguistic imperialism that is chiefly concerned with the situation in Outer Circle countries.
One of the central figures in this debate is Robert Phillipson, whose book Linguistic Imperialism (1992) has sparked a number of critical reactions. He argues that the world is characterised by inequality and links the spread of English, particularly its role in Outer Circle countries, to political and economic disparities. He defines linguistic imperialism as “the dominance of English […] asserted and maintained by the establishment and continuous reconstitution of structural and cultural inequalities between English and other languages” (Phillipson, 1992: 47).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the rise of English as a global language, the concerns regarding fragmentation, and the shift in authority from native to non-native speakers.
2. Who speaks English?: Categorizes speakers into native, second language, and foreign language groups, noting the rapid shift in the power balance between these users.
3. Kachru and the spread of English around the world: Analyzes the "Three Circle Model" and its functional limitations in explaining the modern complexities of language usage.
4. The emergence of “new Englishes”: Explains how English evolves into distinct dialects due to social and geographical factors, forming part of local identities.
5. Nigeria: Examines the institutionalization of English in Nigeria and its role as a second language alongside indigenous codes.
6. China: Details the rise of English in China, the emergence of "China English," and shifting attitudes toward localized standards.
7. Linguistic Imperialism: Defines the concept of linguistic dominance and its political association with neo-colonialism and economic disparity.
8. Contrasting views: Highlights critics who argue that speakers are not passive victims but active agents shaping the language for their own identities.
9. Conclusion: Summarizes the uncertain future of English, suggesting it will likely coexist within a diverse, multilingual world.
Keywords
English, Lingua Franca, Kachru, Three Circle Model, New Englishes, Linguistic Imperialism, Nigeria, China, Globalization, Sociolinguistics, Language Policy, Multilingualism, Native Speaker, Identity, Hegemony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the global spread of English, focusing on how the language is categorized, how new varieties emerge, and the political arguments surrounding its perceived role as a tool of linguistic imperialism.
What are the central themes of the work?
Central themes include the sociolinguistic classification of English speakers, the evolution of "new Englishes" in different political contexts, and the conflict between native-speaker norms and localized, pragmatic usage.
What is the core research question addressed?
The research examines the tension between the global utility of English and the concerns that its spread causes cultural homogenization or linguistic dominance over indigenous languages.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing existing sociolinguistic literature, theoretical models (such as Kachru’s circles), and case studies from Nigeria and China to evaluate current theories on the spread of English.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body evaluates models for categorizing English speakers, provides case studies on the development of local varieties in Nigeria and China, and contrasts the theory of linguistic imperialism with views that emphasize the agency of non-native speakers.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Global English, Linguistic Imperialism, World Englishes, sociolinguistics, and language identity.
How does the author interpret the role of English in China?
The author views the English used in China as an evolving, localized variety that is gaining legitimacy, despite persistent tensions between traditional exonormative standards and emerging local usage.
What does the paper conclude about the future of English?
The paper concludes that English has become too widespread to be under the control of any single institution and will likely exist as one of many languages in an increasingly multilingual world, rather than destroying linguistic diversity.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Eva-Maria Kaufmann (Autor:in), 2011, The Spread of English in the World, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/215256
