English Language Becoming World Wide?
Language is a key entity for survival in life. Without language, people would not be able to communicate. It is used in a variety of different ways and there are many different sounds languages make throughout the world. It is especially used for communicating in the business world. Since the United States is a world power, many say that English has become more prevalent in the global marketplace. Is English really becoming a worldwide language?
Charles Foran answers this question in his essay, “Lingua Franchise,” which first appeared in The Walrus Magazine in November 2004. Foran describes in his essay how English has been adapted in the global marketplace. In this essay, the author uses many statistical facts and examples about the effect of English throughout the world. Foran focuses on explaining the fact that English is becoming prevalent in Asia’s countries. He states his opinion towards the end of the essay by letting the reader know about two different observations that one would encounter if they spent any time in Asia. First, he states that “English only makes a minor noise, and only in the major cities” (135), determining that no major Asian language is at risk of vanishing. Second, he says that, “English isn’t storming these cultures to wage war on them” (135). Foran concludes his article by simply stating that the Asian countries view the English language as a tool, one they can manipulate and even make their own. Although Charles Foran uses many statistical facts and uses many examples to persuade his audience, I think that he underestimates the importance of native languages to the citizens of those countries.
Many of Foran’s points throughout his essay are difficult to disagree with. Because of the United States’ involvement in international affairs, it is easy to understand that English may in fact start developing in more countries throughout the world. The use of statistical facts throughout the essay shows that languages die out and also
Charles Foran answers this question in his essay, “Lingua Franchise,” which first appeared in The Walrus Magazine in November 2004. Foran describes in his essay how English has been adapted in the global marketplace. In this essay, the author uses many statistical facts and examples about the effect of English throughout the world. Foran focuses on explaining the fact that English is becoming prevalent in Asia’s countries. He states his opinion towards the end of the essay by letting the reader know about two different observations that one would encounter if they spent any time in Asia. First, he states that “English only makes a minor noise, and only in the major cities” (135), determining that no major Asian language is at risk of vanishing. Second, he says that, “English isn’t storming these cultures to wage war on them” (135). Foran concludes his article by simply stating that the Asian countries view the English language as a tool, one they can manipulate and even make their own. Although Charles Foran uses many statistical facts and uses many examples to persuade his audience, I think that he underestimates the importance of native languages to the citizens of those countries.
Many of Foran’s points throughout his essay are difficult to disagree with. Because of the United States’ involvement in international affairs, it is easy to understand that English may in fact start developing in more countries throughout the world. The use of statistical facts throughout the essay shows that languages die out and also
Cited: Foran, Charles. “Lingua Franchise.” The New World Reader: Thinking and Writing about the Global Community. Gilbert H. Muller. 3rd ed. Boston, MA : Cengage Learning, 2011. 132-135. Print.