Review article

The English language and globalisation

Magda Pašalić orcid.org/0000-0002-9335-9121 ; Economic faculty University of Split
Sanja Marinov orcid.org/0000-0003-0949-2964 ; Economic faculty University of Split

Abstract

Dominance of one language as a prime means of communication worldwide and too frequent usage of its words loan in many offi cial languages has been causing disputes among linguists and mother tongue experts especially in European countries. The process of globalisation through which one language has evolved into a global or world language has lasted for decades. In the paper the authors have tried to state their opinion regarding the topic of English as a lingua franca and its acquired label of being a language killer. The authors will also provide the comment on the infl uence of English on Croatian. English has been a widely taught and learnt foreign language in Croatia for decades. It is being taught in kindergartens, primary, secondary schools, in a large number of private schools for foreign languages and at faculties. Globalisation in the economic domain enabled many foreign companies the expansion of their business in Croatia. All of these companies require from their employees a good command of English. A fair knowledge of English has become a prerequisite for a professional and social promotion in Croatia. The fact that English has become a global language is not the only effect of globalisation when the language issue is analysed. Globalisation has fostered the promotion of some regional or minority languages in Europe as well as the promotion of some official languages in European countries. Therefore, it seems that there are not enough arguments to support the fear of English as a language killer or as a global threat.

Keywords

Croatian; English; global language; globalisation; language killer

Hrčak ID:

82631

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/82631

Publication date:

30.12.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 5.608 *