Analyzing the Effects of the English Language on Our Nation
Analyzing the Effects of the English Language on Our Nation
A. Language. We see, hear, and use it every day. Language may vary in form and size. Today, English language is recognized as a world language and commonly used in many cultures. However, hundreds of different languages exist in the world and some issues may arise when English is not the native language of a speaker. The languages differ widely in terms of the number of people who use them. Stereotypes and generalizations are formed on non-native speakers when English proficiency is enforced. Social, cultural, and economic factors have an impact on the manner and extent to which language unifies and divides our nation.
B. In society, the media is a language tool commonly used to represent a material and social infrastructure for communication among people. Hjarvard mentions in an article that the media is a characteristic of society and “quite naturally has an imprint on language” (Hjarvard 75). The media has and will continue to serve as a vital necessity for international communication, both formal and informal. Hjarvard continues to state the fact that “language both in political and commercial contexts and intercultural exchanges act as bridges between people who cross cultural frontiers or like to enrich their lives with media products from abroad” (Hjarvard 76). Consumers should consider their personal and social values for themselves rather than society as a whole. The media may influence one 's decision to purchase a particular product based on the message communicated to the audience; however, the final decision belongs to the individual themselves. Along with the idea that many social influences are expressed through the media, the issue of miscommunication or misunderstanding may come up. The use of improper or “broken English” by non-native English speakers may cause native English speakers to generalize the idea that speakers of other languages are uneducated and often discriminated. Amy
A. Language. We see, hear, and use it every day. Language may vary in form and size. Today, English language is recognized as a world language and commonly used in many cultures. However, hundreds of different languages exist in the world and some issues may arise when English is not the native language of a speaker. The languages differ widely in terms of the number of people who use them. Stereotypes and generalizations are formed on non-native speakers when English proficiency is enforced. Social, cultural, and economic factors have an impact on the manner and extent to which language unifies and divides our nation.
B. In society, the media is a language tool commonly used to represent a material and social infrastructure for communication among people. Hjarvard mentions in an article that the media is a characteristic of society and “quite naturally has an imprint on language” (Hjarvard 75). The media has and will continue to serve as a vital necessity for international communication, both formal and informal. Hjarvard continues to state the fact that “language both in political and commercial contexts and intercultural exchanges act as bridges between people who cross cultural frontiers or like to enrich their lives with media products from abroad” (Hjarvard 76). Consumers should consider their personal and social values for themselves rather than society as a whole. The media may influence one 's decision to purchase a particular product based on the message communicated to the audience; however, the final decision belongs to the individual themselves. Along with the idea that many social influences are expressed through the media, the issue of miscommunication or misunderstanding may come up. The use of improper or “broken English” by non-native English speakers may cause native English speakers to generalize the idea that speakers of other languages are uneducated and often discriminated. Amy
Bibliography: Block, David. “Globalization and language teaching.” Key Concepts in ELT. 1 Jan. 2004. Web. 17 Apr. Foroudastan, Cameron. “Language unification adds benefits.” Campus Carrier Guest Writer. 3 Dec. 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2010. Hjarvard, Stig. “The Globalization of Language: How the media contribute to the spread of English and the emergence of medialects.” Plenary Session III. 2003. Web. 17 Apr. 2010. Krauss, Michael. “Language and Culture threatened by Globalization.” Alaska Native Language Center. 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2010. Tan, Amy. “Mother Tongue.” The New World Reader. Ed. Carrie Brandon. Boston: New York, 2008. 120-125. Print.