Global Language English and Its Future

Nowadays, the term globalization is heard everywhere in the world. The place I have lived before, Japan, Ecuador, and the U.S. all countries focus on this concept every day. Globalization increased the necessity of having communication tool among people all over the world. One of the vital communication tools is a language. Now many people from choose to use English as their tool to communicate with whom has different language background. Many people claim English as a global language; it is second most spoken language after Chinese Mandarin, and it is most spoken foreign-language in the world. According to Carla Power’s “Not the Queen’s English,” “English now outnumber native speakers 3 to 1” (Power 199). This suggests that how English is spread all over the world as foreign communication tool. Power also acknowledges that “Within a decade, 2 billion people will be studying English and about half the world—some 3 billion people—will speak it” (199). It seems there is no doubt English is encouraged language in the world. I remember that I used English to communicate with my friend from Holland when I was in Ecuador. I speak with my Korean and Chinese friends with English as well. In most of Japanese public school system adapt English as a second language in their curriculum. In Ecuador, English is emphasized even for elementary school students. It seems English dominates foreign language choice for many countries, and knowing English is a key tool to succeed in global environment now. However, will this language remain the dominant as a global language in 20, 50 or even 100 years from now? In order to forecast future of the global language, we have to know the reason what makes particular language prominent. According to David Crystal in his article “Why a Global Language?” he illustrates, “A language has traditionally become an international language for one chief reason: the power of its people—especially their political and military power” (Crystal 183). I strongly agree with his opinion since England constructed one of the strongest empires to influence the world, and now United States is the strongest country politically, militarily, and economically. However, we do not know if English speaking country is going be prominent in the future. For instance, China is nurturing its economical power dramatically over this 25 years; Chinese government is increasing its political power and military power as well; in fact, Chinese GDP is said to exceed Japanese GDP this year to be number two highest GDP country in the world. The problem of the United States faces now is lack of skilled labor within the country due to citizen’s lack of education. Douglas McGray in his article “Lost in America,” suggests that “Soon, we hear, the United States will become a nation of baristas and retail clerks, while Asians leave their kids with the Nannybot” (McGray 204). This may trigger serious economical downturn in the future. Therefore I forecast, English speaking population decreases little by little. However hope is potential countries such as China and India currently are focusing on educating citizens with English. Therefore, I believe English is going to be most spoken foreign language in 20 years from now. How about 50 years from now? It is harder to forecast. According to Barbara Wallraff’s “What Global Language,” she states, “In 2050…the world will hold 1,384 million native speakers of Chinese, 556 million of Hindi and Urdu, and 508 million of English” (Wallraff 190). It seems there will be big Chinese influence in the world; If American economy does not remain strong, I think many other countries decide to shift English to other language which is spoken in the country with strong economy and political power such as Chinese in 2060. How about a century from now? This one is almost impossible to forecast, but I believe it depends on how English speaking countries act on developing their counties; most prominent language can be English, Chinese, or Hindu. Since many countries emphasize on English as their second language, it is easier for English to maintain its strong position, therefore I believe there will not be another language replaces English soon. However, if English countries fail to succeed in economic, political, and military power, another language which is spoken in influential country is going to replace it, because foreign countries are not adopting English as their mother tongue, the rise of another language is possible. It is hard to practice only one global language for such diverse world.

Work Cited

Cristal, David. “Why a Global Language?” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 178-86. Print.

McGray, Douglas. “Lost in America” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 203-10. Print.

Power, Carla. “Not the Queen’s English” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 198-202. Print.

Wallraff, Barbara. “What Global Language?” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 187-97. Print.