Englishization: A Bridge and a Barrier

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(Maastricht University)

 

 As society came to face the inevitable globalization, being able to speak ‘English’has become one of the most powerful factor. English is the main language that’s used in almost all sections including international meeting, academy, and media. With this change, English is positioned to play a role in deciding the social status and -ability to speak of oneself. A matter of time for English to become the standard language. However, what about the non-English countries?

 

 They are shadows of Englishization. They experience the inequality caused by lack of their ability to speak English. English connects the world into one but at the same time it creates the new wall between people.

 

 Especially, it is remarkable in the education. In many non-English countries, how fluent one can speak English is regarded as a ‘social capital’. If one’s English score is higher than others, he is more likely to apply for the renowned university and get more lucrative jobs compared to others who got low score.

On the other hand, children with lacking educational conditions are positioned for unfavorable status from the starting line. As a result, English is both the language of ‘globalization’and of ‘inequality’.

 

 In the historical view, it is also called as ‘Linguistic Imperialism’. Britain and USA’s economical relative influence contributed to make English as global dominant language while making others become marginalized.

 

 Even the academic paper and reports of international organization are written by English. It shows that the production and spread of knowledge and spread has processed with the priority given by English. Englishization makes diversity of language weaken and gives rise to new concern that certain culture can overwhelm the other ones.

 

 However, it would be not fair to regard Englishization negatively. English is still the tool for the world to cooperate and communicate. Therefore, English should be thought as a ‘language of comprehension’ not the ‘language of dominance’. It should be seen and not just easil get accpeted. And we should recognize the inequality inside the Englishization and seek to relieve the pain of the people in marginalized places. The essence of language is in the communication. For English to be a real global language, it should not exclude anybody and be the power to make everyone comprehend the context.

 

By Staff Reporter Youn Chanhee (2-2)