GLOBAL LANGUAGE

PRACTICES

Subject: Sociolinguistics
Submitted to: Ma’am Insaf
Session: 2021-2025
Group-10
Semester: 5th MA • Saman Qayyum (Roll no.11)
Submitted by: Group-10 • Mussaffa Zainab (Roll no.10)
• Shafqat Batool (Roll no.14)
• Waffa Shahzad (Roll no.21)
• Ayesha Ashraf (Roll no.44)
 LANGUAGE
“A system of communication consisting of
sounds, words, and grammar, or the system of
communication used by people in a particular
country or type of work.”

• There are roughly 6,500 spoken languages in the

world today.
• However, about 2,000 of those languages have
fewer than 1,000 speakers.
• The most common language of the world is
English, 20% of the world’s population speaks the
English language, according to the statistic that
was shared by Babbel Magazine.
• The 2nd most popular language in the world is
Mandarin Chinese. There are 1,213,000,000
people in the world that speak that language
 GLOBAL LANGUAGE
“A language which is globally recognized,
understood, and having its users scattered
everywhere is known as the global language.”

• In favor of the status of English language,

British Council views that English is now
spoken by a quarter of the world’s population,
enabling a true single market in knowledge
and ideas.
• Non-native speakers now substantially
outnumber native speakers and as result,
English increasingly belongs to the world
rather than to any one country
 IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL LANGUAGE
• It is often argued that the modern “global village” needs a
“global language”, and that in a world of modern
communications, globalized trade and easy international
travel.
• With the advent of large international bodies such as the
United Nations and its various offshoots - the UN now has
over 50 different agencies and programs from the World
Bank, WHO and UNICEF, running throughout the world, hence
the pressure to establish a worldwide global language has
never been greater.
 Evolution of Global Language
Perceptions of linguistic superiority or inferiority are based on
power, class, and social status. Historically, it was languages that
were swept in with strong political, economic, or religious
backing—Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, and
Chinese in the Eurasian core— that were held to be the oldest,
the holiest, and the most perfect in structure, their “classical”
status cemented by the received weight of canonical tradition.
By the 19 th century, the imperial nation-states of Europe were
politely shunting them off to the museum and imposing their
own equivalents: newly standardized “modern” languages like
English and French.
 DEVELOPOMENT OF ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL
LANGUAGES
English as a Native/First Language
Those who use it by birth as their parents do are the first or native speakers. Native
speakers are identified by observing their accent, way of pronunciation, extra-linguistic
features, and cultural aspects and sometimes by their complexion as well.
Eg: USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
According to Crystal (2003), the estimation shows that about 320-380 million people
(inner circle) use it as native language around the world
English as a Second Language
Most of the people use English as a second language as well. Regarding English as a
second language Kachru as cited in Crystal (2003) views, the outer circle involves the
earlier phases of the spread of English in non-native settings, where the language has
become part of a country’s chief institutions, and plays an important ‘second language’
role in a multilingual setting
Eg: Singapore, India, Malawi and over fifty other territories.
As Crystal mentions there are 300-500 million people (outer circle) use English as a
second language. This rate has been growing up regularly
 Influenced by

Colonial Expansion: The British

Political influence: World war 2 had a
Empire's vast expansion during the
major role to make english as a global
17th to 20th centuries spread the
language , particularly the United Kingdom
English language to various regions
and the United States, in pivotal roles. The
worldwide. Colonization led to the
involvement of these nations in the wars
establishment of English-speaking
expanded their global influence and
communities in diverse parts of the
established English as a dominant
world, laying the foundation for
language in diplomacy and international
English to become a widespread
relations
language.
 ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LANGUAGES
• English as a Foreign Language
English as a second and Foreign language have some features common but
not as whole. As English is not used as an official language but as means of
communication, instruction, tourism, journalism, etc, in such situation, it is
termed as the foreign language.
Crystal presented, there are more than 500- 1000 million people (expanding
circle) who use English as a foreign language.

• Before English, French was often considered the premiere international

language. The French court was the model for the European aristocracy
back in the 1700s, France’s dominated position in European affairs. After
World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was written in both French and
English, so some scholars point to this first time English started to gain
prominence as an international language.
 HISTORY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
• English is a West Germanic language that originated from Anglo-Frisian
dialects brought to Britain in the fifth to seventh centuries by Germanic
invaders and settlers from what is now northwest Germany and the
Netherlands
 LINGUA FRANCA
A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose
native languages are different.
• Mandarin Chinese as a Lingua Franca
Mandarin Chinese, the most spoken language in the world, holds a significant
place as a lingua franca in East Asia. With over a billion native speakers, it
serves as a bridge for communication in countries like China, Taiwan,
Singapore, and Malaysia. Its importance is also growing in global business,
where China’s economic influence is expanding. Learning Mandarin has
become an invaluable skill for those seeking opportunities in international
trade and diplomacy within this dynamic region.
• Spanish as a Lingua Franca
Spanish, one of the Romance languages, has established itself as a prominent
lingua franca across the Americas and parts of Europe. Beyond its native
speakers in Spain and Latin America, Spanish serves as a common language
for millions of people. It facilitates communication among diverse cultures,
including the United States, where it is the second most spoken language.
Spanish plays a pivotal role in international relations, trade, and cultural
exchange, making it a vibrant and dynamic lingua franca.
• Arabic as a Lingua Franca
Arabic, with its rich history and cultural significance, serves as a lingua franca
across the Arab world, extending from the Middle East to North Africa. While
numerous dialects exist, Modern Standard Arabic is commonly used in formal
contexts, such as education, media, and diplomacy. Arabic’s status as a lingua
franca reflects the shared cultural heritage of Arabic-speaking nations and is
instrumental in facilitating cooperation and understanding in this diverse
region, both in business and politics.
 LINGUA-FRANCA VS. PIDGIN
While lingua franca shares similarities with pidgin
languages, it distinguishes itself by serving as a
mediator between speakers of diverse native
tongues.
Pidgin languages, on the other hand, typically evolve
within specific communities as simplified forms of
communication.
Lingua franca was a tool of necessity for trade and
interaction, whereas pidgin languages often develop
organically as a means of intercultural
communication within isolated groups.
Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate
the role lingua franca played in bridging linguistic
gaps.
DEVELOPMENT AS LINGUA FRANCA
HOW A LANGUAGE BECOMES A GLOBAL
LANGUAGE
 IMPORTANCE OF GLOBAL LANGUGAE
• culture, heritage, movies etc
CHALLENGES AND CONTROVERSIES
• While English’s role as a lingua franca has undeniable
advantages, it is not without challenges and
controversies. Critics argue that the dominance of one
language can lead to linguistic imperialism, potentially
sidelining lesser-known languages and cultures. There are
concerns about cultural homogenization and the
preservation of linguistic diversity. Additionally, debates
surround the issue of language proficiency and access to
opportunities in English-dominated fields. Acknowledging
these challenges is essential for fostering a balanced
approach to the use of English as a global lingua franca.
PAKISTANI ENGLISH