Introduction: Future Status of English
“Is the future status of English as the global language assured, given its widespread use in international communication, business, and technology?” It is being said that it is losing its former luster. However, there are opposing arguments too. Sometimes, even leading linguists have dubbed English as the lingua franca of the world due to its dominance over media, technology, and every other field. However, at other times, Noam Chomsky and others of his ilk go against it, arguing that bilingual people learn more easily or that local languages must be preserved. Despite these arguments, the fact remains that English has taken hold of the lives of the majority of people. This is attributed to the British Empire, where it became the official language of half the world, and because every field of knowledge has been translated into English. Additionally, the recent advent of interactive media has given a boost to English. Therefore, the debate has become fiercer than ever. However, it is also true that English is gaining the upper hand because it is not only the official language of the majority of major countries but also the language of interactive media, businesses, and the academic world.
Opponents of Future Status of English
The opponents argue that English cannot dominate the world, citing instances where it has lost its status as an official language and is viewed as an obsolete language of former dominating empires, especially in several Middle Eastern countries and South Asian states. However, the reality is quite different. Even in the case of India, efforts to abolish it altogether were unsuccessful. Despite being used in elite circles, English has retained its status as the official language, a decision that was supposed to end in 1965 in the southern part, but “it did not happen; southern India said no,” and English remains the official language of the entire country (“The World Language”). This is why most Indians have to learn English, as it serves as the medium of communication in offices and educational institutions.
Moreover, following the fall of the British Empire, the United States has emerged as a dominant global force, particularly financially. The U.S. introduced the first “interactive medium, the internet” (“The World Language”), further favoring English. Hence, the argument that the declining official language status of English would lead to its overall decline is not correct.
Argument of Future Status of English
Its opponents put forward another argument that English will decline, stating that in countries where English is not the lingua franca, most people prefer media broadcasting news and entertainment programs in local languages rather than English. They argue that business is conducted in local languages. However, the reality is quite different because for a business to thrive on the international level, it must have managers who are well-versed in the English language. This is because, as “business spreads across frontiers, the company…encourages the use of English” (“The World Language”), allowing executives to communicate with a broader audience. Hence, there is a visible urge to learn English.
As for the media, English is the language of the most interactive medium, the internet. This is evident in the fact that many websites are created in English, using apparatuses, and “American operating systems [give] English a nudge ahead” (“The World Language”), providing strong evidence in favor of its dominance. Even in cinema, where movies are often dubbed in local languages, the “language spoken on screen is [almost always] English” (“The World Language”).
Bilingual Theory and Future Status of English
The opponents put forward another argument, perhaps under the influence of bilingual theory or mother tongue support, claiming that learning English as a second language hampers students and institutional growth in the academic world. They argue that schools are now abolishing English as a medium. However, ground realities defy this argument as well. The number of learners is increasing each year, with new pupils entering schools who choose English as their medium of instruction (“The World Language”). Moreover, a significant amount of wider research is conducted in English, and it has “long dominated learned journals” (“The World Language”). Additionally, if one aims to reach a wider audience, “English is the language of choice” (“The World Language”).
Conclusion: Future Status of English
Therefore, it is fair to say that, owing to its official status in major countries and its prevalence in the media and corporate world, English seems to have retained the status of a global lingua franca. This position is further strengthened by the academic world’s swift adoption of English as a language to reach a wider audience. Even though local varieties may influence small regions, English maintains its place as the language of the internet, cinema, and the international business world. Consequently, it is evident that English has gained the status of a global language, and despite the presence of local languages on the web, “the bigger winner will be English” (“The World Language”). This is because the audience would mostly need to translate these sites back into English. Therefore, there is no doubt that the status of English as the global language is assured.
Works Cited: Future Status of English
“The World Language.” The Economist, Millennium Issue. 31 Dec. 1999. Newspaper Source. Web. 17 July 2023.
Relevant Questions: Future Status of English
- How might the ongoing evolution of the internet and digital communication impact the future status of English as a global language?
- In what ways do emerging economic powers and their linguistic preferences contribute to or challenge the continued dominance of English on the global stage?
- How do educational trends, particularly the adoption of English as a medium of instruction in various countries, influence the future trajectory of English as a global language?