Politics and the English Language

A feature of English that makes it different compared with all other languages is its global spread” (David Crystal). This quote from David Crystal expresses how much is English dominant and it could to the term Linguistic Imperialism. At first I would like to define, what linguistic imperialism means and how it is explained, then I would like to define some other important terms connected with linguistic imperialism. Linguistic imperialism, sometimes called language imperialism, can be…

America has become extremely diverse, and with the array of languages forming from that, it would be unprecedented to think that every person can speak English. Two authors, Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez discuss the issues and challenges towards bilingualism. “The new bathroom policy at english high school “ by Martin Espada and “Hunger of Memory” by Richard Rodriguez, each have opposing views on the same topics involving languages. Ranging from political issues to social/ family issues,…

needed to “speak American,” referring to the need for English as an official language (Sarah Palin Speak American). This demand, however, is not a new topic. Since this country’s birth, language-based discrimination has existed. For example, during the late 1700s, John Adams, a founding father and second president, tried to establish English as the official language of the United States (Schultz). One of the main arguments for an official language was that it would unify the country as a whole.…

often obliged to study English having as teachers Italians, who have learned English as second language, attending Italian Universities, without improve their own knowledge in England) and English schools (ESOL for foreign people) in Sunderland where these students will be able to improve their understanding and their speaking English. In fact, in my personal experience, Italian students, after courses of English that usually last eight year, have still big gaps with their English. For the…

the rules of english, therefore there is value in writing through dialectic, rhetoric and intellect. Dialect allows you to view the different identity in each culture and show’s the importance of within each culture. Rhetic gives the art of persuasion that allows you to adapt your audience. Intellect is able to show the connection of the three values of why it is right to break the rules of standard english. Dialect proves that there's value in writing that doesn't use standard english in…

of the consequences of English language being dominant were identified in an article by Mustapha (2014). They are the linguistic and communicative inequality. English Language has created a barrier or hierarchy amongst citizens of Nigeria. We have the elite group who speak “queen’s English”, some who speak “Nigerian English – pidgin” and others who cannot speak English at all. It now becomes difficult to interact with people who are not in your class thereby making English fail at its role of…

learn a new language is part important on the life of everybody, in some country since children start kind garden they start learn new languages in order to open their mind to other cultures and could in the future be better professionals. According to John Archibald and a team of researchers at the university of Calgary conducted a study in 2007 that examined a number of questions relating to second language learning. They found that students who learn other subjects in a foreign language are…

without including all the other languages. It is discriminatory to exclude even the smallest minority. If American citizens are going to allow money to be spent translating government documents into multiple languages, then what about the languages of all tax payers? Who decides which languages spoken are the better, or more important, to use? This is a substantial dilemma that, unless an official language is implemented, would be very difficult to…

to Speak English” is Jamila Lyiscott’s powerful spoken word essay given at TEDSalon NY2014. The “tri-tongued orator” explains that speaking three English dialects at home, school, and friends does not make her any less articulate or educated. She gives a voice explaining the complicated history and present-day identity that each language represents. Using emotional and logical tactics, she reminds the audience that the many dialects of English are as valid as the more standardized English used…

through the repeated performance of language. Humans echo familiar language in a tessellation to project a holistic impression of the self to other people, who are able to relate to our identity through the shared use of these patterns and symbols of speech. Furthermore, language is sometimes performed in defiance of the normative language varieties, to reform the identity of the self. This is because it is possible to negotiate and stylise language itself, as both language and identity are…