English Linguistic Imperialism

English Linguistic Imperialism

Hashmi RafsanjaniEng 106ID 1020846

English Linguistic Imperialism

“Language has always been the consort of an empire, and shall forever remain it’s companion”

- Nebrija, Illich 1981:35.

Monolingualism have existed since the Greek Era with it’s stigmatization of languages other than Greek as “barbarian” or “non-language”.

At the heart of the European Conquest of the new-world, was the objective of establishing it’s colonial languages. It was viewed as a “tool for conquest abroad”

English Linguistic Imperialism

"the dominance asserted and maintained by the establishment and continuous reconstitution of structural and cultural inequalities between English and other languages“

- Robert Phillipson, Linguistic Imperialism/1992.

English Linguistic Imperialism

“the dominance asserted and maintained…”

• In North America, Australia and New Zealand. English replaced other indigenous, native and immigrant languages. This is often referred to as Linguicism.

• However, the expansion was checked in Canada and Wales, resulting in “multilingualism”. (Lewis ’92)

• In periphery-English countries, English usage was forcibly implemented through colonialism and international interdependence.

“by the establishment and continuous reconstitution…”

• The British Council• Goethe-Institut• Alliance Française• The World Bank• International Monetary Fund

“of structural and cultural inequalities...”

• Involved whitewashing of Arabian, Indian, Pacific Nationalism and exercised heavy British and Imperial U.S self-interests.

• Often camouflaged under the essence of bridging cultural gaps and building international ties.

English Linguistic Imperialism

400 years ago

In 2009

5-7 million native speakers

425 million

Worldwide count contains ESL – English As A Second Language + EFL – English As A Foreign Language. Guesstimates provided by Crystal 1985:7 reports. ELT reports provided by Robert Phillipson, Linguistic Imperialism 1992.

Masterminding the ELT

Economic Productivity

Ideological Function

Symbol for material advance

Intrinsic Arguments

Extrinsic Arguments

Linguicism

Media Image of English

Lifestyle and trends

Inte

rnati

onaliz

ati

on o

f Eng

lish

• After WW II, ELT was seen as a means towards achieving political and economic goals.

• A means of securing ties of all kinds with the leaders of the “developing countries”

• Allow the capitalist system to adapt to and dominate a changing world.

• ELT historically viewed, is unquestionably neo-colonist and operates within a framework of imperialism.

• British Council has been the prime player in ELT around the world, pioneering the model in providing cheap and accessible language materials.

English Linguistic Imperialism

English Linguistic Imperialism and its aspects.

• Linguistic Imperialism is innately related to Cultural Imperialism and loss of native ways are always imminent.

• Apparent brain drain of the east, in turn absorbs and transcends the customs of the west.

• Gave rise to numerous conspiracy theories suggesting the formation of the Commonwealth of God.

• Uproar and silent social protests in nations who are considering the acceptance of English as a official second language.

• Promotes mixed script of native integrated within English dialects.

“…with English textbooks, one is not only learning a new language but also a new way of life..”

- British Cabinet Report 1956.

English Linguistic Imperialism

Language is Power