Track 10

Unit 2

linguistics

global English

pages 16 and 17

Listen for main ideas and listen for details

Today topic is English as a global language.

That linguists use the term global language to refer to the use of English worldwide for global communication.

I know some of you your first languages are Spanish or Chinese but English is our common language here in the classroom

What’s known as the lingua franca? Is the common language throughout the world right now as well as?

Professor bride-to-be cut through an authority on the use of English, called the current global use of English unprecedented.

This means that in the history of the world. There has never been one language used by so many people.

It just hasn’t happened before and it’s important that we as linguists consider what it means for English to be a global language.

now today when to give you two contrasting points of view about English as a global language.

One is that English is now used all over the world and it’s actually replacing other languages.

According to this point of view English will be used instead of other languages future.

Eventually, so this argument goes, it will be the only language people speak; of the second point of view; is that English will not truly become a global language and replace other languages because it’s not the main language spoken by people worldwide in their daily lives.

Supporters of this point of view acknowledged that people all over the world use English every day to communicate in certain domains like business or science or government, they contend, however, that people have retained their first languages and will continue to do so.

At this point of view is supported by linguist David Crystal, author of English as a global language and other books.

So, let’s examine some facts that support the first point of view, the first English is clearly the dominant language of business, science and international travel.

When we need a common language, whether in airports or hotels or at international meetings is English, if you take a taxi in Rome and you don’t speak Italian.

The driver is more likely to use English than another language. In addition, the European Union uses English for both written and spoken communication; scientists; worldwide use English; business schools in Europe are now teaching the classes in English, even in France, a country that has fought very hard in the past to keep English out.

I’m sure all of you can think of many situations where English is the common language, how about the Internet using was there second.

Seventy-five countries use English as an official language in the government and banks and so on that for some countries like England, English is the only official language.

In other countries like India, there’s more than one official language in India, Hindi and English are both official languages used to run the country.

So to sum up, we know millions of people throughout the world need a common language to facilitate communication.

That’s clear; right now, being proficient in English gives them an advantage in many situations.

Nevertheless, does this mean that English will eventually replace other languages?

With that question in mind, let’s turn to the second 20.

Why some people don’t think English will replace other languages?

Now. First, according to recent data, more than a billion people speak some English as a second or third language.

However, English isn’t their primary language at home and with friends. This is a key point. These people may use English for work or school each day, but nowhere else.

Even in English-speaking countries, millions of people refer to speak a language other than English all the time.

For example, Spanish is very common in large cities like New York or LA.

Second, I mentioned, there are 75 countries where English is the official language, but this doesn’t mean that everyone there speaks English.

Not at all and take India again. Most sources agree that less than half of the population, actually knows some English.

Third, people may only know the English required for specific job situation. For example, the taxi driver in Rome that I mentioned earlier may only know phrases like where you going or what is the name of tell.

And another examples with the airlines pilots in Korea or China may only learn the English they need on the job; English doesn’t replace Korean or Chinese for them.

They don’t using this instead of their first language they use it. In addition, too.

Their many situations worldwide like this. It’s evident that millions of people worldwide. Note only the English required for specific situations.

English is their main language in daily life. So where does that leave us; analogy for the reasons behind these two points of view about English as a global language.

What you think? Myself, I don’t see it replacing other languages. I agree with David Crystal, that language is a part of culture, as globalization continues use of English spreads, people want to hold onto their own languages and cultures more than ever.

You agree? what you think about these questions, first? with English as a global language. Do we need an international standard? form that we all agree on?

Question two; If yes.

Which standard should we use? or last question, is it okay to have different varieties of English like Italian English or Japanese English. Why? think these over and see you next.