English as a Global Language (Canto)

by David Crystal

Book Overview

David Crystal's informative account of the rise of English as a global language explores the history, current status and potential of English as the international language of communication. This new... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521629942
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 162 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.6" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Speakers of the World, Unite!

In Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, space travelers can communicate with beings from other planets by inserting a Babel fish in their ear. The Babel fish takes in what is spoken and modifies the brain activity of the user to effect a translation. Universal translators are standard equipment in science fiction involving space travel, since it is reasonable to assume that extraterrestrials will not speak English or any other earthly language. Indeed, given that there are over six thousand mutually unintelligible languages here on Earth, it seems that the technology is badly needed now. However, by the time the technology is available, there may no longer be any need for it. According to David Crystal in his book, English as a Global Language, everyone on Earth will soon speak English. Currently English has the status of a lingua franca, a language that is used for international exchanges. Through history, different languages have served as linguae francae on a regional basis. In Europe, Latin served this role across the Roman Empire, and continued in this function for centuries after the fall of Rome because it was the language of the Catholic Church. In China, where dozens of mutually unintelligible dialects are spoken, Mandarin serves as the common language of government and intellectual exchange. And starting in the seventeenth century, French served as the international language of diplomacy until its fairly recent replacement by English. The status of English as a lingua franca, however, is quickly transforming into that of a global language, one that nearly everyone in the world can speak. This is an unprecedented event, although there has been a trend over history toward linguistic consolidation as a result of political consolidation. The globalization of English was driven by a historical accident, namely that both world powers during the last two centuries spoke English. The language was first spread around the globe in the nineteenth century by the growing British Empire. As British political power waned at the turn of the last century, American influence and prestige was on the ascendancy, further spreading the use of English. The globalization of English is further driven by the growing global economy. More and more people around the world are getting involved in the global marketplace of goods, jobs and ideas. But to participate in this marketplace, you need to speak English. And if it is not your native language, you need to learn it, or you will be left behind. Although there are more native speakers of Mandarin Chinese than there are of English, there are more people who speak English as a second language than any other language in the world. In fact, there are more people who speak English as a second language than as a first language. Combining first and second language users, we find that English is the world's most widely spoken language. Still, only one in four people know English, clearly indicating that Eng

Crystal Does It Again

David Crystal's updated version of his 1997 book provides additional content and resources. I relied heavily upon his research and discourse to help me complete my master's thesis in international educational development. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the phenomenon of English as a Global Language.

The Spread of Global English

In this book, David Crystal presents the future of the English language. According to Crystal, non-native speakers of English outnumber native speakers of English, so it could be said that English has become global. Add to this the fact that English has become the de facto language of business, science, technology, and diplomacy, and it becomes apparent that English belongs to the world. Crystal argues that English will become more influenced by non-native speakers in the future, so we will have to rethink the idea of the "native speaker". As a world language, English doesn't belong to the native speakers in countries such as England and America, but to all who speak it. To speak a language gives you the right to use it as you will. This is a very interesting book on the spread of world English. I really recommend it.

Concise and well written

This book explores the question of how English came to be the premier international language of our time. Crystal begins with various ways of defining "international language", and he explains how English alone among other widely spoken languages meets all criteria. The book includes numerous maps and descriptions documenting the spread of English throughout former British colonies. It is concise and well written.