The massive increase of English speakers around the world who speak it at all different levels of proficiency, for any variety of purposes and with (other) non-native speakers has sparked some concerns and controversies.
Some are concerned that its wide spread and the emergence and institutionalisation of new ‘Englishes’ will lead to a language fragmentation that could ultimately result in mutual unintelligibility. The question of who holds authority over English today is causing heated discussions.
Teaching practices for English as a foreign language are yet another contentious subject. For the most part, English teaching is still oriented towards British or North American varieties, and a learner’s proficiency is measured in relation to those norms. Some, however, demand that English teaching practices take into account that usage situations and requirements for English have changed, and that teachers prepare students for international communication rather than communication with Americans or British.
The issue with perhaps the greatest political significance is that of linguistic imperialism. As English, particularly the ‘prestige varieties’ British and American, are being taught to more and more people across the world, some have voiced their concern that this “compromises the cultural integrity of the non-native speaker”. There is a fear that English might suppress or even replace local languages and be used as a tool to spread Anglo-American cultural hegemony.
This essay gives first a rough overview over who speaks English in the world today. It then briefly discusses some of the attempts by scholars to categorise this immense number of ddifferent people, focusing particularly on Kachru’s model of the spread of English. It addresses some of the factors that lead to the emergence of new varieties of English, describing Nigerian English and China English in more detail by way of an example. Linguistic imperialism is discussed subsequently as one particularly controversial issue relating to the rise of English to one of the world’s most predominant languages.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Who speaks English?
- Kachru and the spread of English around the world
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this text is to explore the global spread of English, its variations, and the controversies surrounding its dominance. It examines the different ways English is used across the world, the resulting emergence of new varieties, and the implications of linguistic imperialism.
- The global spread of English and its various classifications.
- The emergence of new Englishes and their characteristics.
- Kachru's three-circle model of World Englishes and its limitations.
- The debate surrounding linguistic imperialism and the impact of English on other languages.
- The changing role of native speakers in the context of a globally used English.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the dramatic shift in English's global status over the past half-century, fueled by technological advancements and increased international interaction. It highlights the rise of English as a global lingua franca, while simultaneously acknowledging the concerns and controversies surrounding its widespread adoption. Key issues such as language fragmentation, the changing role of native speakers in defining the language, evolving English teaching practices, and the politically significant issue of linguistic imperialism are introduced, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these themes in subsequent sections.
Who speaks English?: This chapter categorizes English speakers into three groups: native speakers, second language speakers (primarily in former colonies), and foreign language speakers. It emphasizes the significant numerical dominance of foreign language speakers and the resulting shift in the power balance between native and non-native speakers. The chapter highlights the increasing importance of English as a basic skill globally, comparing its present significance to that of literacy during the industrial revolution.
Kachru and the spread of English around the world: This chapter delves into Braj Kachru's influential "Three Circle Model of World Englishes," categorizing English speakers into Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles based on historical and geographical factors. The limitations of this model are discussed, primarily its reliance on historical factors rather than current usage patterns and speaker identification. The chapter highlights the challenges in distinguishing between the circles, particularly as some Expanding Circle speakers may possess a higher proficiency than some native speakers.
Keywords
Global English, World Englishes, Linguistic Imperialism, Kachru's Three-Circle Model, Native Speakers, Non-Native Speakers, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Language Variation, Language Standardization, Cultural Hegemony.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text explores the global spread of English, its variations, and the controversies surrounding its dominance. It examines how English is used worldwide, the resulting emergence of new varieties, and the implications of linguistic imperialism.
What are the key themes discussed?
Key themes include the global spread of English and its classifications; the emergence and characteristics of new Englishes; Kachru's three-circle model and its limitations; the debate on linguistic imperialism and English's impact on other languages; and the changing role of native speakers in a globally used English.
What is Kachru's Three-Circle Model?
Kachru's Three-Circle Model categorizes English speakers into Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles based on historical and geographical factors. The text discusses the model's limitations, particularly its reliance on historical factors rather than current usage patterns and speaker identification.
What are the limitations of Kachru's model?
The model's limitations lie in its reliance on historical factors rather than current usage patterns and speaker identification. The text points out the challenges in distinguishing between the circles, as some Expanding Circle speakers might have higher proficiency than some native speakers.
How does this text define different types of English speakers?
The text categorizes English speakers into three groups: native speakers, second language speakers (primarily in former colonies), and foreign language speakers. It highlights the significant numerical dominance of foreign language speakers and the resulting shift in the power balance between native and non-native speakers.
What is the significance of the changing role of native speakers?
The text emphasizes the increasing importance of English as a basic global skill and the consequent shift in power dynamics. The traditional role of native speakers in defining English is challenged by the vast number of non-native speakers and their proficiency.
What is the significance of linguistic imperialism in the context of this text?
Linguistic imperialism is a key theme, addressing concerns about the dominance of English and its potential impact on other languages. The text explores the political and social implications of this widespread adoption of English.
What are the key takeaways from the introduction?
The introduction establishes the dramatic shift in English's global status, fueled by technological advancements and increased international interaction. It highlights the rise of English as a global lingua franca and introduces key issues such as language fragmentation, the changing role of native speakers, evolving English teaching practices, and linguistic imperialism.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The summaries cover the introduction, "Who speaks English?", and "Kachru and the spread of English around the world". They provide brief overviews of the main points covered in each chapter, highlighting key concepts and arguments.
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include: Global English, World Englishes, Linguistic Imperialism, Kachru's Three-Circle Model, Native Speakers, Non-Native Speakers, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Language Variation, Language Standardization, Cultural Hegemony.
- Quote paper
- Eva-Maria Kaufmann (Author), 2011, The Spread of English in the World, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/215256
