English and Globalization - Literature review Example

ENGLISH AND GLOBALIZATION INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION Although the economists often define the term globalization to include the flow of capital and labor internationally, there is still no agreeable definition of the term (Bhatia et al. 2003). The economists continue to use the global integration as a benchmark of globalization. English language too has had increased growth just like the international trade and the flow of capital and labor. Canagarajah (2005) argues that technology, the nature of world politics and the global economic policies are the main drivers of globalization. A clear economic policy remains the key force towards the realization of globalization. The abolishment of restrictions that are displayed in form of the countries tariffs and quotas have been the major avenues through which international trade is carried out efficiently. The convertibility of currencies and the relaxation of restrictions in the balance of payment is also a key factor that has lead to globalization. Global integration has resulted in increased production and trade of goods and services. Specialization and division of labor have been too incorporated in the economic policies of the countries to realize growth. Through globalization, consumers have greater access to wide range of products and services. Coleman (2006) writes that the greatest barrier to globalization remains the diversity of the countries culture. There are diverse language groups, religious beliefs, social norms and races around the globe. These differences continue to be the highest hurdles to be conquered by the international community. Business communication trends have further facilitated the globalization of English in realizing economic growth across the globe. There continues to be a global ‘flattening’ of the English language in many businesses corporate in the world. To facilitate business and trade, English is the leading language that the business community uses to facilitate trade of their trade (Friedman 2005). The English language has been closely linked with migration -the language is thought to have first come into being in the 5th Century due to dynamic movement and settlement of the people. It was not until the 17th century that English became a world language. This was mainly aided by the formation of the American colonies. The other European languages like French, Portugeese and Spanish were also starting to establish themselves as colonial languages. However, their dominance didn’t penetrate much like English. In the 19th century, the English consolidated its dominant position through its increased involvement in the global trade (Shields & Price 2002). In the 20th century, English dominance even spread up and wide across the globe, this has been closely linked to the rise of the US as a superpower. The US used the English language to further its economic, technological and cultural influence. Contradictorily, the influence of the other European language at this time, like French, was in the sharp decline (Crystal2000). English speakers are categorized into three, those who take it up as a first language, those who learn it as a foreign language and the ones who us it as a second language. Though the native speakers feels that the language belongs to them, it is slowly getting its dominance among the foreigners and second language speakers and this may have a radical effect to its future development and sustenance(Graddol et al., 2002).. GLOBAL TRENDS Due to growth of the global economy and technology, the world is considered to be getting ‘flatter’ due to the abolishment of trade restrictions and barriers leading to easier flow of capital and information. It is now possible for communication to flow instantaneously. Due to the dynamism and presence of multilingual society, English is seen as the main language that dominates the communication and business world (Crystal 2000). Crystal (2000) argues that the connection between better global Business skills and company profitability and growth is non-questionable. In a business environment, that is increasingly global and work teams, suppliers and customers are dispersed around the world, investing in a successful communication global community is very important (Maybin & Mercer 2004). In order to create better skilled employees in their level of English language, it requires more than just training them. There is greater need to bring harmony in the terminologies used by workers across the globe to facilitate better communication. English is seen as the first language of the dominant capitalistic globe since communism and socialism have declined over time. It is currently the main avenue of international trade. English spread and growth among countries is however facing lots of obstacles as at now, an example is that of the OECD countries that used to facilitate its growth are slowly been eroded by the Asian economies. These countries now wish to be the source rather than the end recipient of US cultural values. Population statistics currently show that the developed countries populations are the ageing who uses the English language thus the young people could bring lot of change in its influence in US and the Europe (Bhatia et al. 2003). A Language in Transition Though the English language, has over the years been taken as the main thread that link the globe social life, its influence has been different among recipient cultures and countries. Just as the world is having transition in the technological and economical dimension so has the English language. The communication needs of the world population have been responsible for this transition over the last 1500 years (Crystal 2000). Although the English language is currently enjoying multipurpose than ever, presently forming the dominance in scientific and technological development, management, economics, literature and entertainment disciplines. The rise in new grammatical and technological vocabularies has greatly influenced its speaking and writing. The internet is a clear symbol of how the English language has evolved to incorporate new grammatical terms (Canagarajah 2005). The English language has over the years had its value shifted; this may be the foundation and the beginning of the complex ethical issues involving its dominance across the globe. It is associated with the negativity that has resulted in the many cultures, identities of the countries citizens and the influence it has had on the education and legal system around the world. The other developing countries may also challenge the amount of resources that they incur in providing the domination of English in their key displines including legal and science. Their evaluation of the costs and benefits involved may cause a sharp exodus in its application. English language at the moment is at a historical global significance, this is so because scholars argue that within the next decade the number of second language speakers will by far exceed the number of native speakers. The effect of this will be far reaching since the native speakers have over time been regarded as the authority of the language. The language paradigm shift may see the authority of the language shift to the second language speakers. The US and Britain dominance in the media and literature will be challenged as the focal point shifts to the culture and writings of the second language speakers. Predicting the future of English spread hangs in the balance due to the contradictory trends across the globe. In order for English to hold sway in an evolving world, there has been need to regulate and come up with standards of its usage. This has however been embraced by the US and Britain. As a consequence any country that despite its diversity may come up with standards, this may greatly affect its global trends. Moreover, study show there is a growing lack of enthusiasm for the English language as its dominance is seen as a form of neo-colonization among the developing nations (Friedman, 2005). Economically put the level and size of the English in the global market may increase in absolute terms, but its market share will probably fall due to the increase of use of Chinese and Spanish. Already the Chinese are penetrating most of the world economies through development, labor and products. Such growth may encourage learners to embrace this language. Although as a whole the spread of English has been increasing in the recent years, an examination will show different historical trend and gap as with the current trend. The future of English apparently is very unpredictable because there are no current statistics showing its dominance and factor consideration. The demands and change of values of the second language speakers will affect its understanding and growth as the shift changes authority from the native speakers. (Coleman 2006). The decisions of different individuals and governments have influenced the spread of English. If the social values shift from the current economic policies that steer the capitalist world, personal choices may affect the spread of English Conclusion The speakers be it, native, second language or foreigners are the main change vehicles of how English will evolve and develop across the globe. In the 20th century the trends have been contradictory, the globalizing forces now are challenging the relationship that initially existed between territory and its language dominance. The impact of such conflicting ideas will cause English dynamics (Maybin & Mercer 2004). The rise of the Asian economies will definitely have profound effect on the economic relations. The effect of this may affect English language popularity and use in different continents. A language that opens better market and opportunities will become attractive to many learners. Scholars have now been able to demonstrate how the rise of Japanese student enrolment across the world led to the value increase of the Yen as against the US dollar in the 1982-1989 periods (Coleman 2006, p.78). English presently has no clear language rivals and its dominance is unrivalled. It continue to shape the sport and entertainment stage. The position of French may seem secure, but the greatest obstacle of its spread lies in the fact that a third of pupils who are studying foreign language hail from English-speaking countries (Crystal 2000). Globally English is the most significant medium of educational teaching of courses in the tertiary institutions. The use of English as the medium of disseminating knowledge has had long term consequences in its acceleration and dominance among the second language speakers. It spread has cut the divide of both the developed and developing countries. It essentially continues to shape the writing of scholarly materials and scientific research; most textbooks in any field are likely to be found in the English language. The spread of Christianity too is seen to be a key factor to spread of the English language (Friedman 2005). English has stamped its dominance position mostly in its significance in the internet world. In an era where most of the communication is at the click of a button, English continue to shape this online communication. Thus the growth of computer hardware and software mainly emanating from the US and Britain have led to a widespread growth of the English language. The scientists continue to consider English as the international lingua franca and thus becoming a preferred language by the many online users. The technological shift from US to countries like China, Japan and Korea may affect this dominance in the future spread of English (Graddol et al. 2002). REFERENCES Bhatia, V. K. (2003). World Englishes, Oxford, Oxford University Press.22. Canagarajah, A. S. (Ed.) (2005a). Reclaiming the local in language policy and practice. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum. Coleman, J. A. (2006). English-medium teaching in European higher education. Language Teaching, 39, 1-14. Friedman, T (2005), The World is Flat: Brief History of the Globalized World in the 21st Century, London: Allen Lane; Shields, M., & S. W. Price. (2002). The English language fluency and occupational success of ethnic minority immigrant men living in English metropolitan areas. Journal of Population Economics 15:137–60. Crystal, D. (2000) English as a Global Language. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. Maybin, J. & Mercer, N. ((2004) (eds) Using English: From Conversation to Canon. London: Routledge/ Open University. Graddol, D., Leith, D. & Swann, J. (2002) (eds) English: History, Diversity and Change. London:Routledge/Open University. Read More