RESISTANCE TO THE DOMINATION OF ENGLISH

LANGUAGE IN COLONIAL AND POSTCOLONIAL TIMES

By

Bilal Ahmad

Reg.# S 20-020-15790

Supervised by

Dr. Muhammad Saeed Akhter

Co-supervisor: Dr. Noreen Saba

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of

Master of philosophy

In

English linguistics

at

Riphah International University

Faisalabad campus, Pakistan

July, 2021
 Abstract
English language is an international language. It has achieved global consideration in this
contemporary world by having much publications in every field. The modern era is totally
occupied with English language. Some of the resistance can be evident against English. This
research is about the resistance which had been and has been in the limelight throughout the
panels of history. The world is no more in the shade of colonial powers and it is striving to get
out from the hegemonic state of English language as well. Most of the countries are developing
their language in the field of education and technology to resist the English dominance.

INTRODUCTION
Over the past many years, English language has achieved a status that is undeniable in every
field. English language was gaining popularity in colonial era. The age of industrialization puts
an impact to the globe that there is a need of common language for trade and relations. English
language appeared as the prominent language due to hegemonic structure of Great Britain. By
the late 18th century, the British Empire had spread English through its colonies and geopolitical
dominance. Commerce, science and technology, diplomacy, art, and formal education all
contributed to English becoming the first truly global language. English also facilitated
worldwide international communication. Increasingly, nonnative speakers use English as a
“practical tool” and also as a “working language” (Crystal 2003: 426), has emerged as a
lingua franca used by millions of people to engage in a conversation with each other. (Tünde
NAGY, 2016).

The postcolonial era was somehow reluctant to the adaptation of English as a global language.
The colonized countries have been in a guilt against the rule of Great Britain and these countries
were in the effort to replace English with their national language. China started its language to
the higher degree development. It has put its language in education, technology, and in business
purposes. Many other countries started practicing their language as official and educational
languages. These countries have been putting the English language to back step. The renowned
linguist, David Crystal, suggests that “a language becomes a global language because of the
power of the Nation.

2. Research background and problem statement

This research is all about the resistance movements which has been being conducted in relation
to back step the English and to uplift the other languages. After postcolonial era the urdu English
controversy has been evident in Pakistan. Pakistan is an ideologically inspired state and Urdu is a
part of this ideology. It had become a Muslim identity during separatism. (Brass 1974). There is
a continuous grudge in the sub-continent to replace the English language with Urdu and Hindi.

The matter of the fact is why English is being hated by the Asians specifically. A veitnamian
study shows that the factor of demotivation is quite apparent in hate. Using stimulated recall
essays from 100 university students of their foreign language learning experiences, the findings
indicated that demotivation was a significant issue for EFL learning, and a framework for
discussing the different sources of demotivation was developed. While some categories of
demotivation occurred more frequent than others, no category appeared to be more or less
difficult to overcome. Rather, students’ awareness of the role of English language and their
determination to succeed were critical factors in overcoming demotivation.

The linguists also in a search that every language has the capability to become a global or
International language. They have the view that every language has the tendency to produce
novel utterances in all the situations. So, the common people try to put their native language on
front and by doing this they develop an unconscious grudge in their mind against English
language.

3. Rationale of the study

Resistance to the English language is some specific treatment which is being done by the autopsy
of English. Many of the groups and countries have been putting their effort to highlight the
unidentified and hegemonic structure of English. They have the point that there is no bounding
reason to have one language for domination. This research will put their arguments in discussion
weather the problem persists or its mere a grudge. People are more interested to come out or to
come in the domination of English language. This argument will go side by side with this
research.

4.Significance of research

Many researches have been done on the resistance movements to English language, but this
research will show the modern and liberal reasons which is based to the resistance. It will clear
the view that how other languages are as important as English is. This research is about the
conduct of underdeveloped and developing countries towards English language.

5.Research objectives

1. To find out the factors and challenges to the resistance of domination of English language.

2. To have the insight about the emerging languages like Russian and Chinese.

3. To conduct a survey of the thoughts of leading figures in the resistance movements against
English language.
4. To formulate a new insight for the developing languages and the native languages.

6. Research questions

1. What is the nature of resistant movements to the domination of English language during
colonial and post-colonial times in Sub-continent?

2. How do the common masses perceive the domination of English Language in colonial and
post-colonial times.?

3. What is the potential of resistant movement against English Language in contemporary times ?

7. Delimitations

The research is being conducted through the online available data. Only surveys will be done for
primary data. A few direct interviews are done to fetch the insight of the people for primary data.

LITERATURE REVIEW

More people speak Spanish than English as their first language. Nearly three times as many
speak Mandarin Chinese in their family homes. Yet few would dispute that English is the leading
world language. This is because English is the world’s lingua franca or common second
language, as this table shows. . After postcolonial era the urdu English controversy has been
evident in Pakistan. Pakistan is an ideologically inspired state and Urdu is a part of this ideology.
It had become a Muslim identity during separatism. (Brass 1974). There is a continuous grudge
in the sub-continent to replace the English language with Urdu and Hindi. This is the first
detailed study of the history of language policies and practices among the Muslims of north India
and Pakistan. It begins with British language policies and then goes on to the policies of the state
of Pakistan. There is also a chapter on the Urdu-English controversy in education as well as the
minor language movements of Pakistan.

The Chinese and Russians are more interested in the resistance towards English language.
Despite the fact that Puerto Rico has been under the sovereignty of the U.S. for almost a century,
only 20% of the island's population is functionally bilingual amidst an educational system which
requires compulsory study of the English language from grades 1 through 12. Much of the
explanation for the conflict and resistance to the learning and spread of English on the island
focuses on nationalism, uncertainty over Puerto Rico's political future, and association between
language and identity.

RESEARCH METHODOLGY

Research Design

The research design is more important in research methodology. It defines the way by which the
objective can be utterly achieved. In such methods, the designs are yet to be chosen in
accordance with data collection requirements.

Research philosophy is stated as pathways through which new knowledge is gained along with
the strategies carry out whole research. Positivism philosophy is known to be the work of
researchers, they learn it through reading various books, articles, journals, official reports in
order to have secondary source of information.

This thesis is based on positivism philosophy in which the author demonstrates the survey to get
primary data. Positivism philosophy refers to a collection of literature reviews. In order to have a
profound grip over extensive problems this method ensure the author to produce thoughtful
solutions.

Research Tools

Survey is conducted on the basis of gathered literature review. The questions are carefully
designed for research in this survey.

Research population

The population of the research is the given resistance literature of domination of English
language. The resistance movement were selected and examined for this research. Some of the
leading figures of these movements were examined through their statements and thoughts.

Sampling method

The simple random method is selected for this research. The political figures and social
reformists are considered appropriate for this research. Due to accessibility issues, average
population was selected. The social media and print media are used to access the sources.
Sample Size

More than 30 events were examined in order to conduct this research. The average size of
sample is selected due to illustrative type of research.

Evaluation

The qualitative data is refered to as secondary data such as previous researches, while the
primary data is obtained through survey. The evaluation were made on the basis of primary and
secondary data.

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