English as an Asian Language

Summary

In his article ‘English as an Asian Language’, published in 2002 in the journal

ABD, Tom McArthur states that the English language is actually the Asian lingua
franca and it is very likely to maintain this function. The author highlights that
‘Asia’ is not a simple concept; he provides the historical background of the
problem and describes the current role of the English language in different Asian
regions.

First, the author argues that Asia is not a homogeneous region and it consists of
smaller regions. The situation of any language would be different depending on the
region, this is why it should be described separately. For example, Hindi-Urdu and
Arabic are used regionally but not as a pan-Asian lingua franca.

Second, the English language has not always been the Asian lingua franca, it is
necessary to describe its evolution in this role. It has largely expanded in the region
after the Second World War when it began to be taught in schools. Then, the use of
the language was extended by mother-tongue English-speaking Christian
communities.

Finally, the author outlines the current situation of the English language in different
Asian regions. For some nations, the English language is the ‘second first
language’ (Indians and Filipinos). In some territories (Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Singapore,
Philippines etc.) the English language for post people is the key ‘other tongue’. In
West Asia, English is mostly used as a language of work and higher education. In
Indo-China English is the language of trade and ‘elite usage’. In Japan, Korea and
China, English in schools is the second language of choice.

In conclusion, McArthur states that as the most of the Asian population in all Asian
regions studies and uses the English language, it is definitely the pan-Asian lingua
franca and it will remain so. This is why it is now considered an Asian language in
its own right.

In my opinion, lingua franca itself might be dangerous for mother-tongues that are
not so widely used. It is necessary for governments of Asian countries not only to
provide population with courses of the English language at schools, but also to pay
attention to the native languages.