English has established itself as the global language. What makes a
language global? Why do we need one? Why is English considered by many
to be the global language? These are all really good questions. English
has become the dominating language mainly because of the cultural
influence of the United States and England. Although not the most widely
spoken language, English is the global language because it improves
intercultural and international communications, and it is the fastest
growing in history.
English is not the most widely spoken language in the world, but it
is the global language. More than 1.2 billion people are native speakers
of Chinese, which makes it the most widely spoken language in the
world. According to Wallraff, there are three times more native speakers
of Chinese than there are native speakers of English. What then makes
English the global language? There are more speakers of Chinese than
English; however, it is English they speak when talking across cultures
and it is what they teach their children so that they can communicate in
an ever increasing globalized world, making English the global
language.
English is the fastest spreading language in history, whether it is
spoken as a first or second language. It is the first language spoken by
the majority of people in several sovereign states. It is the second
language spoken in most other countries. There are more people that
speak it as a second language than a first. More people in Southeast
Asia speak English than in the United States and the United Kingdom
combined. Many more people are in the process of learning English than
there are currently fluently speaking it, which is why it will remain
the dominant global language. According to most scholars, one-fourth of
the world's entire population can communicate in English in some
fashion. That is a staggering 1.75 billion people. This is what makes a
language global.
We need a global language to improve intercultural communications.
When people travel, whether is is for a vacation or for business, being
able to communicate is vital. Traveling to foreign countries typically
involves the use of an airport and once arriving at the chosen
destination, taxis. The radio carries the sound of English through music
to almost every part of the world.
English dominates the world as no language ever has because of the
influx of globalization and technology, improving international
communications. Per Seth Mydans, "It is the common language in almost
every endeavor, from science to air
traffic control to the global jihad, where it is apparently the means of
communication between speakers of Arabic and other languages". At call
centers worldwide, which are considered per Mydans as "the emblem of
globalized workplace", they speak English. Several foreign companies
use English in the workplace because much of their business is done via
internet and other communications with the outside world. More and more
multinational companies are mandating English as their corporate
language in an attempt to facilitate communications and performance
across geographically diverse business endeavors. For businesses to
survive and thrive in a global economy, overcoming the language barrier
is a must. Per Jeff Roy, in 75 countries English has special status,
one-third of
all books are published in it, two-thirds of scientists read it,
and three-fourths of the world's mail and four-fifths of all electronic
communications are written in it.
The spoken and written word is a very important thing. When we
communicate, we need to know that we are understood. It is imperative
that we have a common language that simplifies our basic need to
communicate as a whole as well as more specifically in the business
world. English provides us with this need to be understood. As stated,
it is not the most widely spoken language, it is however the most
widely accepted. Intercultural and international communications are
improved by having a global language. English continues to grow
throughout the world, and will continue to do so as the leading global
language, which brings us together as one.