The spread of English around the world has both positive and negative effects on developing countries. Through the spread of English, communication between peoples of different countries has become easier. The ease in communication has made it easier for international commerce and cooperation (Lieberson & Dil, 1981, p.357). In spite of the advantages attributable to the spread of the English language, the fact remains that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. This paper takes the position that the spread of English language threatens the existence of indigenous languages, indigenous cultures, religions, identity, and indigenous political systems. In addition, the spread of English is a threat to world diversity and poses the risk of the lack of Standard English due to regional variations of the English language.
First of all, the spread of English is a threat to indigenous languages. Many developing countries around the world are made up of peoples from different ethnicities. Different ethnicities have different languages. Due to the spread of the English language, many peoples in developing countries have shunned their own native language and adopted English as their mode of communication (Dalby, 2003, p.91). This is because in many cases, indigenous peoples feel that English is more prestigious compared to their own languages. This creates a scenario whereby many indigenous families do not take active responsibility in making sure that their children learn their indigenous languages. This poses of risk of future indigenous generations not being able to converse in their native languages. This will finally lead to the loss of many indigenous languages as a result of the spread of the English language. Therefore, it is clear that the spread of English threatens the existence of indigenous languages.
Second, the spread of English threatens indigenous aspects of culture and identity in developing countries and the world. It is important to realize that language is an important aspect of culture. Owing to the fact that many indigenous populations are beginning to shun their own languages for English, these peoples are likely to lose their culture as well (Kubota, 2009, p.51) For instance, many indigenous communities use their indigenous languages to conduct different cultural rituals and festivities. Rituals such as religion are conducted in indigenous cultures using their native languages. The spread of English has led to the loss of cultural traditions because some of the native rituals and festivities cannot be conducted using the English language. It is worthwhile to note that English language results from the English culture. Therefore, as the English language spreads in developing countries and the world, the English culture spreads as well. This means that as indigenous peoples substitute their indigenous languages with the English language, they also involuntarily substitute their cultures with the English culture.
The substitution of native cultures with the English culture causes indigenous peoples to lose their own identity. It is the indigenous culture that holds indigenous communities together. The loss of indigenous cultures as a result of the spread of English has led to disunity among indigenous communities. This is because individuals who have been assimilated into the English culture in many cases want to substitute their cultural systems with elements of the English culture. This accounts for reason why different indigenous political systems have been rendered obsolete within indigenous communities because they are considered primitive in the English culture. This clearly indicates that the spread of the English language is based on inequality because in many cases English is considered to be superior compared to other languages around the world. This is the political tool that the British used to colonize different territories in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Third, the spread of English poses a risk to world diversity. It is important to note that a different language around the world creates more diversity around the world. As more people around the world learn the English language, many people embrace the English culture. This causes many people to consider their cultures to be inferior to the English culture. As more people are assimilated into the English culture their traditions are continually lost (Maurais, 2003, p.111). This means that there is less and less to for people to learn from each other as a result of the spread of the English language. If the spread of English is not contained in the near future, the English culture might be considered to be the standard culture of the future. This will create a scenario whereby other diversities will not be respected and will be treated as being inferior. The inferiority complex that might be created on other diversities in the future might set the grounds for war between cultures in the future. World diversity is important because the uniqueness of each culture creates unity and stability around the world.
Finally, the spread of English poses the risk of the lack of Standard English due to regional variations of the English language. Different regions and ethnicities tend to incorporate elements of their native language into spoken and written English. This accounts for the slight differences in syntax and morphology that exist between British and American English. This variation in the English language may over time create different standards for the conventional English language.
In conclusion, the spread of the English language threatens indigenous communities. It also threatens indigenous cultures and identities. The spread of the English language also poses a risk on world diversity. In addition, the spread of the English language poses the risk of the lack of Standard English due to regional variations of the English language.
References
Beal, J. (2010). An introduction to regional Englishes dialect variation in England. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Dalby, A. (2003). Language in danger: The loss of linguistic diversity and the threat to our future. New York: Columbia University Press.
Kubota, R. (2009). Race, culture, and identities in second language education: Exploring critically engaged practice. New York: Routledge.
Lieberson, S., & Dil, A. (1981). Language diversity and language contact: Essays. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
Maurais, J. (2003). Languages in a globalizing world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
