English in today's world- The use of English

English as a lingua franca

It refers to using English as communication between speakers with different first language backgrounds across lingua-cultural boundaries. English is said to be a “contact language” between persons who share neither a common native tongue nor a common culture.

For the majority of its (English as a lingua franca) users, English is a foreign language, and the vast majority of verbal exchanges in English do not involve any native speakers of the language at all.

The use of English in education in Asia-Pacific countries

In Asia-Pacific countries like China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan, considerable resources are being invested in providing English in many aspects. Recently, the age at which English is a compulsory subject in most countries has shifted down. The fact that children in these countries have to learn English in earlier ages stresses on the importance of English as a global language.

However, there is a considerable consternation in Malaysia as English emerges as a global language. Since English was regarded as a threat to the national language – Malay, it has been phased out in school since its independence from the British in 1957. As a result, the standards of English for Malaysian graduates are low. Many parents send their children to Singapore (which adopted English as an official language) for education in order to learn better English and become more employable. But the dominance of English in Singapore is being now challenged by the rise of China.

English as an undisputed language of science and technology

More than 50% of the millions of academic papers published each year are in English. And this trend of using English as the medium has been increasing in recent years.

Scientific journals in many countries are using English. In the world of science (physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, etc.), English seems to be the universal language of communication. 

Reference:

Crystal, D. 2003. English as a global language (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nunan, D. 2003. The Impact of English as a Global Language on Educational Policies and Practices in the Asia-Pacific Region. TESOL Quarterly, 37, 589-611.

Seidlhofer, B. 2005. English as a lingua franca. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Edited by Denize Chan.