The Spread of English is often attributed to colonial heritage and history. The British Empire emerged in the 17th century and it spread rapidly across the globe in the 19th century during the Victorian era. The glory of empire is often recalled in the phrase: “An empire, on which sun never sets.” And, such were the stretches of the spread indeed. From mysterious lands of sub-continent to South-east Asia. And from the African continent to the isles in the pacific. These stretched lands had provided a great opportunity for English to be a language that would become a symbol of pride and power in British Colonies. McCauley’s educational reforms in India disregarded native Indian languages and instituted the English language as an inalienable part of the British Raj’s educational policies. Through, these policies English has penetrated through the nationalistic cultures and language barriers. As an elitist proprietary has developed around the English language.
Although, British Empire disintegrated after World War (II), as it could not sustain post-war trauma. It could have been assumed that the emergence of nationalistic waves within erstwhile British colonies would dent the popularity of the English language at the cost of local languages. But, on contrary, what rather happened was a new superpower emerged in the form of the USA. The soft power which it has yielded through technological supremacy and promotion of popular culture via the use of Hollywood, and popular music has only contributed to more convergence towards English culture and Language. And, since the fall of the Russian Empire, the USA had a chance to have an unchallenged hegemony over cultural and linguistic discourse across the world.
So, once a colonial language had now become a symbol of pride and prestige across the world. Partly, it was the result of the elite which was the residue of British imperialism. And, cultural hegemony which was dispensed through the monopolar order centralized in the “USA” has contributed to the spreading of the English language across the world. Whether it would be in the form of soft power. i.e. cultural discourse which starts from USA (spread via media as a tool), or it is unchallengeable military, economic and political might of USA has made English a language which is Global in character.
Even the rivals of the USA, like: China and Russia could not alleviate themselves from learning English in different capacities like learning English as Lingua Franca. Since, the globalization of economy, polity, and society, the need to have a common language has also grown immensely. As global community needs some language that could be used as lingua franca. So, English, being a language of hegemonic culture and a powerful nation provides fair ground for being a global language.
This globalization of the English language has helped the global community a great deal to conduct bureaucratic, educational, and foreign affairs around with ease. Moreover, English has lost its cultural monopoly which could only be rooted only within native English-speaking national states. Rather, it has imbued itself with a culturally diverse ambiance. That is why, it is no more a language of one nation, two nations, or a few nations. Rather, it has now become a rightful assumption that: “English is a global language”. A language that belongs to all nations, all countries, and all cultures.
3 thoughts on “English as a global language?”
That’s how this time, USA is trying to invade the whole world through the weapon of English in the disguise of lingua franca and a trade language , just like once British rulers have done in the past . USA and other English countries are forcefully making English as culturally & globally diverse language of the world , the true indication of cultural hegemony, due to which we still would remain mentally colonized ,which can be seen in form of our own degradation of currency, so the matter of hegemony is not only reflected through globalized English language but in form of the globalized American Dollar too , which would be enough for any superpower to rule over the world , so ,in my opinion, it’s not a good indication of having English as a globalized language at least for the Afro – Asian countries a serious concern!
Both so called the same globalized English language and economic powers are working parallel to each other to take control over the world .To sum up, globalization of English too, itself is a deception in the form of a ruling prestigious language for our country’s progress. A true paradox!
That is right! Supremecy of language culture is mere outcome of economic and military might of U.S today and U.K in past.