English Dominance Essay Example for Free

slope Dominance EssayEnglish is unmatch equal to(p) of the most(prenominal) mouth dictions in the world. Glob bothy around 380 million multitude mouth English as their first expression, 250 million office it as their second phrase, and 1 billion be in the member of learning it and about integrity third of the orbicular population are affected by it one way or the other. By the year 2050 it is forecasted that around a half of the world will be able to communicate properly in English. (Pennycook A. 1994) English is on its way to be stupefy a dominating global language. The language has developed to become the language of do in outside(a) trade, international intelligence conferences, and global politics. The predominant function of English has gone further to affect international and regional organizations much(prenominal) as world swear, European Union, and other multinational companies. (Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002) English potence originated from political su ppression and efficient manipulation by Britain and unite States. Some policies of international organization such as World Bank have served to propagate the dominance of English in developing countries (Keal, P 1983).However, the most important doer that has led English to become such a globally spoken language is the emergence of United States of America as a world super power a nation that uses English as its major language of communication. (Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002). Since the United States and Britain dominate in the international organizations such as World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO) and so on, this has influenced such worldwide entities to use English as a major language of communication.((Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002) The use of English as the dominant language in these organizations has generated enormous benefits especially in the ease of operation. However it has not been smooth sailing has a myriad of controer sies have continued to emerge because of the same dominance. (Keal, P 1983). Linguistic dominance has its origins in conquest, war machine and political subjugation, and economic exploitation.The role of language in imperial expansion has been a central agent of the europeanisation of the world (Robert P) This view has continued to emerge in m each forums where most nations (especially the non-English talking) have constantly objected to the dominance of English because it has been seen as a way of Europeanizing others. (Robert P) The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze both the benefits and cost with the purpose of establishing the direction the organizations are likely to take in this thorny and controversial issue.Benefits of English language in International organizations Communication This is perhaps the greatest benefit that the domination of English has brought to almost all world bodies. Having one language as a lingua franca facilitates or breaks down the comm unication barriers. (Gary C) Members of such bodies like the United Nation, the World Bank are able to communicate easily despite the event that they come from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds. In fact most delegates of European Union and common riches are able to speak English as their second language.What this means is that a Chinese is able to communicate effectively with a German national despite their cultural differences. (Edwards, J 1985). Because of globalization, there has come a need for faster communication tools and processes. Internet has played a significant role in speeding up the globalization phenomena because it is very fast and inexpensive. (UNESCO) The language that has dominated most of the Internet use is English slated at approximately 80% usage on the websites. This has enabled most of the international organizations develop communication channels via the Internet that eases the mode and the cost of communication.The organizations have been able to implement most of their programs within specified period across the globe. (UNESCO) Up to 700,000,000 people speak English language across the globe, what this means is that almost all countries of the world have a sizeable number of people who are able to communicate in English. This makes it easier for the International organizations to operate and find employees in the respective countries, thereby wakeless their payroll budgets because they do not have to employ expatriates who are normally very expensive to retain.A good example is the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) that is located in Kenya, Africa. The local citizens here speak English as the second language, and are competent in its use. (Martinez Cobo 1984). The organization has not had any line in recruiting locally thereby saving a lot in the payroll budget. Fostering global peace The ability of many United Nations mediators to communicate in English coupled with the increased usage of English in many st ates of the world has enabled conflicts that arise between various states to be solved efficiently.In addition, many English speaking nations especially the members of the Common wealthiness are able to establish absolute diplomatic relationships with ease since language has not been a barrier. (Maurais J. Morris, M. A. 2003) Facilitating international business English as an international business language has facilitated commercial transactions among the member states of European Union, Common Wealth, and Association Of South eastern Asian Countries. This is to a greater extent evident in the software market whereby many soft wares have been produced in English language.(Rudby, R. Saraceni, M. 2006) A good example of a country that can attest to the advantages of knowing how to speak in English is India. It has reaped enormous benefits in the global market from its citizens competence on spoken English. According to Rudby and Saraceni this has prompted nations like China to en courage its citizens to learn English language. Currently China has the largest number of people studying English and has made English compulsory from third grade. (Rudby, R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Sharing of information and ideas It is a compulsion for scientists from different parts of the world to publish their findings in English language and thereby enabling any English speakers to be able to access a wide range of information from various experts and from different part of then world. Some scientists are also able to use these published reports as valuable inputs to their researches. Empowers the United Nations to address various problems in the worldEnhanced communication resulting from the common usage of English by many countries of united nation has enabled such countries to put across their valuable contribution in solving current global issues like terrorism, famine and diseases. (Rudby R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Pre- dominance of English in Common Wealth countries enable the member countries to adopt policies geared towards ensuring efficient delivery of aid and other humanitarian operate across the globe. (Rudby R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Negative effects of English dominance It has contributed to conflicts in the European UnionHaving a single(a) language seems to be the most ideal and efficient solutions for the European Union but many members who do not come from Anglophone communities find such arrangement unacceptable. Current the language policy in the European Union grants every language an equal status whereby any language can be utilize to conduct meetings and translations are provided for other language speakers. (Robert P) However there is a provision to the extent that the constitution especially the preparatory committee of European Union may stipulate in their own rules of social function which of the language to be used in each specific cases. (Robert P) This has served to encourage some languages to become more dominant than others espe cially English which is frequently chosen in such situations. This has led members of major language speakers like French and German to fiercely protest fearing that their international status of their languages may be lowered. (Martinez Cobo 1984). on that point is also a growing concern among the non -English members of the European Union that English dominance is crossing over the boundaries of international organization to entrench itself to education and other sectors of the other countries.(Mary K. Flynn). Germany has been the most affected whereby English has became a general subject in primary schools of many states and has grown into official language of many companies and firms unitedly with Germany. This has consequently resulted to a diminished status of the German language and criticism that imposing English as the first language to all pupils is against the concept of promoting cultural diversity in them. (Mary K. Flynn).