How have linguistic imperialism

shape language today?

Presented by Thar Lun
Naing

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Essentially a demonstration of power.

Traditionally, military power.
In modern world, economic power
and dominant culture.

Imperial tongues of the world

English
French
Russian
Spanish and Portuguese
Chinese(Mandarin)
Arabic
Urdu

glish: an imperial tongue

English was originated in present day
Britain
from
the
evolution
and
combination
of
West
Germanic
language and Norman French language.

Since late 15th century, the early

modern English was introduced.
Then, English was spread to the
world through British empire from
the 17th to mid-20th centuries.

Continuity of English in postcolonial

countries
USA
Canada
Australia
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
Uganda
South Africa
Papua New Guinea
Singapore
Nigeria

Canada
Britain
USA

India

Nigeria

Australia
South
Africa

New
Zealand

h
W

?
y

To avoid conflicts of language

dominations by larger racial groups.
(Example: Papua New Guinea)

English still used to control

the political power.
(Example: Australia, New
Zealand)
Majorities of populations were
racially mixed, Including English.
(Example: USA, Canada)

English: the lingua franca of

21st century

Three circles of English speaking countries by Braj

Kachru.

Why is English becoming lingu

franca?
Providential, rich, noble and interesting.
Well established: many speakers, trained
teachers and a wealth of teaching
material.
Usefulness as a gateway to the world.
Economic utility: it enables people to
operate technologies efficiently.
Media, Music and Entertainment.

Responses to English Linguistic

Imperialism
GLOBAL
CITIZEN

VS

DEANGLICIZATI
ON

GLOBAL CITIZEN
Monolingual native speaker of English may
see that as a fact worthy of celebration.
More interactive and communicative
world(Globalization)
Solve the difficulties of language barrier.

DE-ANGLICIZATION
DE ANGLICIZATION BECAME A MATTER OF
NATIONAL PRIDE IN SOME PLACES ESPECIALLY IN
REGIONS THAT WERE ONCE UNDER COLONIAL
RULE. (EG: NORTH AMERICA , IRELAND)
NATIVE TONGUE TITLE AND LANGUAGE RIGHTS
SHOULD BE PROMOTED. (EG: ABORIGINALS OF
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND)

How appropriate is the use of English

in non English speaking countries?

English is often used around the

world for local purpose.
1. Demonstration posters in nonEnglish speaking countries.
2. The school curriculum in some
countries.

Summary
There are several linguistic imperialism around
the world. However, this is just a matter of
knowledge claim that we believe and define.
Like some critique on the term Linguistic
imperialism, I believe that we can only
estimate the spread and popularity of particular
language by HOW it is being used. It is clearly
that not by the number of speakers and the
potential.

Hope it was worth watching

Thar Lun
Naing