Teach English in Whittlesey - TESOL Courses

It is readily accepted as fact that english is the global language. What it means for a language to be global, however, is hotly contested by linguists. As the debates continue, one thing remains certain: at no other time in human history have so many people around the world had the ability to speak the same language. Before we delve further into the role english plays as a global language, it is important that we briefly consider the role of language in general. Language has a different meaning for a native speaker than it does for a non-native speaker. For native speakers of any language, language is an intimate expression of identity, an intellectual and emotional security, and a signal of nationalistic brotherhood. It is no wonder then that linguist David Crystal, during a Wordsmith.org chat, asserts, “Language raises the strongest feelings in everyone.” One's perspective and interpretation of the life experience is bound to language. By contrast, global english, spoken predominantly by non-native speakers, does not adhere to these sentiments. Global english is not the english of one's childhood, Monty Python, or HBO series like Mad Men. Metaphors, cultural references, and idiomatic expressions do not belong to global english. Instead, global english is a tool, which requires basic skill to be employed. That global english is entwined with economic power, potential, and personal income cannot be dismissed. The efficiency of many global industries including business, technology, and science depend on a common language. As quoted in The New York Times, Mark Warschauer, a professor of education and informatics at the University of California, Irvine, says, “Having a global language has assisted globalization, and globalization has consolidated the global language.” The implied message is speak english and more of the world's economic opportunities will be made available to you. Clearly, for the majority of the estimated seven billion non-native users of english, this language represents an economic means to an end. As Barbara Wallraff points out in her article “What Global Language?” published in the November 2000 edition of The Atlantic, “english is the working language of the Asian trade group ASEAN. It is the de facto working language of 98 percent of German research physicists and 83 percent of German research chemists. It is the official language of the European Central Bank.” Given the scope of the global economy, it seems inevitable that some form of common communication would be necessary to communicate effectively across cultures. Despite the fact that “one-fourth of the world's population can communicate to some degree in english,” english does not appear to be supplanting other languages. Rather, bilingualism has become the norm. When global english is viewed merely as an economic tool, this makes sense. It also makes sense that many believe technological advances will render this tool obsolete. Computer software engineers are researching and developing highly accurate translation and voice recognition technology. Perhaps technology, more than the growing populations and economic presence of china or india, represent a challenge to english as a global language and the need for a global language in general. Works Cited Crystal, David. (February 26, 2001). Wordsmith.org. english as a Global Language, A Chat with David Crystal. Retrieved February 6, 2011, from http://wordsmith.org/chat/dc.html Wallraff, Barbara. (November 2000). The Atlantic. What Global Language? Retrieved February 6, 2011, from http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/2000/11/wallraff.htm Mydans, Seth. (April 9, 2007). The New York Times. Across cultures, english is the word. Retrieved February 6, 2011, from