January Just Posts

"A careful consideration[ is needed] of the global tension between the need for one or two world languages in order to facilitate trade, technology and diplomacy, on the one hand, and the national, sub-regional, and regional need for strong indigenous languages in which are captured the history as well as all the treasuries of culture of the world’s diverse peoples and through the command of which alone, the individual human beings are able to develop their capacities to the full."
(Alexander, 1999)


Wayfarer Scientista's post last native eyak speaker dies made me want to share a part of an essay I wrote on English as a global language, the role it plays plays in our modern world and the effect of English on other languages.


Are local languages becoming casualties of the rush to educate foreign students in English? Crystal (2000) argues that the death of a language is more often caused by local political and economic histories than the existence of a global language. He claims that English in its global context often stimulates a stronger support of local languages than what would otherwise have occurred. Likewise Graddol (2007) claims that as global English shifts towards becoming a basic skill it seems to generate an even greater need for other languages.


On the other hand Kamwangamalu (2003) discusses the “other face of English” as one that “entails doom for the indigenous languages”. He predicts that English could replace less essential indigenous languages such as isiNdebele, Tshivenda, Xitsonga and Siswati in black urban communities of the future. Likewise Hendricks (2006) maintains that as English becomes more dominant in South Africa it’s effectiveness as a common language grows. As a result Afrikaans and English people are not motivated to learn African languages.


If English becomes a global presence, offering access to wealth and knowledge, why would the death of local languages matter? Crystal (2000) believes that a language holds the history and identity of its speakers. Furthermore Makoni (2005) proposes that the diverse perspectives offered by different languages are important when trying to understand different cultures. He explains that while English is build around a conduit metaphor there are languages which are built around ontological metaphors such as taste, touch and smell. Within the grammar and metaphors of language a map is found to the world-view of its speakers. Learning a new language therefore enables us not only to navigate through the different worlds created by each language but also to redefine our own world-view. Using English to discuss different world-views holds the possibility of creating a positive feedback loop which can limit the negative impact of English in its global context.


I try to imagine a world in which I can never again speak in my mother tongue and it fills me with sadness. However, without knowledge of English I would possibly not have a well paid job, nor be in a financial position to attend University. I also might not be able to converse with my classmates as few of us speak English as a first language. All of the references I used to research this post are in English and most of them I located on the Internet.


After exploring the benefits and risks associated with the impact of global English on business, the internet, education and other languages I would like to conclude that English should be used to critically assess its own impact on these fields. Although English can act as a firewall preventing access to the very matrix of knowledge it offers, the structures of power it facilitates might not disappear should it lose its status as a global language. I agree with Pennycook (1994) when he suggests that English, if dealt with critically, could facilitate the exchange of ideas needed to understand not only how language shapes our world-view and the shifts of power associated with language, but also broader issues like democracy, ecological movements and poverty. We need to tackle our fears while not letting go of our hopes. If a language is spoken because of the power associated with it (Crystal, 2000) we need to use English to globally communicate the need to empower not only languages but also their speakers with critical awareness.


Writers using English to talk about social justice
Alpha Dogma with Happy Period
Andrea with Apocalypse for one
Blue Mountain Mama with I first saw her at a kid's program
Bohemian Creations with The machine
Bohemian Girl with Paraben Free
Carrie with My little philanthropist


Casey at Expectant Waiting with Actually, YOU need to seek help for my PPD
Chani with Midnight in our souls and Retirement of a cultural dissident
Chez Kirby with Taking Chances
The Cleaner Plate Club with My first boss, and what she had in common with a cloned cow…or a mad one
Dave with Words. Tone. Death
DAYSGOBY with Trial and error
Defiant Muse with bratz dolls and string bikinis for toddlers


Elderwoman with why hasn't everybody turned green yet Pt. 1 & Pt. 2
Emily at Wheels on the Bus with Blog for Choice Day
Ewe are here with Just a quick note and Why our next election can't come soon enough for me
Gina with not my god and big bad wolf
Gwen at Woman on the Verge with We real cool and And I Would Walk 5 Thousand Miles
it's not easy being queen with his dream is still my dream
Jen with oh george, how i loathe thee and don't you know i'm talking about a revolution


Jen Lemen with Everything we needed
Jen M with Philanthropy Thursday: Haiti
Jess with one step at a time and beloved
Julie Pippert with my big pink elephant for hump day, When it comes to sexual harassment, it's the little things that bleed you to death and To the Sexual Harassment Google Searchers...
Kevin with Operation Climate Vote Relaunch

Lucy with We do not need rulers, we need rules of law
Mad with Blog for Choice Day
Mouse with Don't Tell Me How to Talk About Sex and The Talk
No Caption Needed with Love in the ruins
No Impact Man with A balanced approach to climate change
Not Hannah with Enough. No more.
Peter with The politics of greed

R World with Secret decoder ring for Bush's state of the union address
Seventh Sister with The last hours of ancient sunlight
Sin at Write About Here with tenuous
Slouching Mom with Wherein I'm dismayed to find that old and young are not always antonymsWhat happens to a dream deferred
Snigdhasen with Daughters of the soil


Susanne with stifling the urge to learn
Suzanne Reisman on blogher with Why We Vote with Our Uteruses, Standing Up for Working Women & Child Care Providers, Because "Nobody Really Likes Hair in their Private Regions...", and Victorian Times or Comprehensive Sex Ed: Which Method Do You Choose to Prevent Teen Pregnancy?
Thor with Blog for Choice Day
Uppercase Woman with Take the baby to prison day
Wayfarer Scientista with last native eyak speaker dies and energy & google earth


The last few volunteer gifts.
Christine with December Just Posts: A Baby!
Mary with About the Gorilla in the Living Room
Suz with Late to the Party


Just post Readers
JoC
Sin
Jess
Mary
Mary Murtz
Steph

Also see what Mad, Su and Jen are talking about at their end of the table.