Globalization of the English Language

            “One world language is lost every two weeks when the last speaking member of that particular linguistic group dies. At this rate, 2,500 native tongues will disappear in the next 100 years” (Burton 127).  When this quote was brought up in my multicultural literature class the question was asked, is the globalization of English a positive or negative.  Many students had opinions and at first it seemed as if everyone thought this situation is detrimental due to the effects it has on cultural preservation; though, after some discussion it became evident that there were just as many people who believe that this movement is indeed positive.

         The negetive aspects of the globalization of English can easily be recognized.  With the loss of language comes a loss in culture, and with this loss in culture comes a loss in the diversity of the human race. Negative? That of course depends on your view, the people who believe that this in fact is definitely a negative situation believe this because they feel that this loss of human diversity is bad.  I believe that this loss is indeed bad, but I feel that in order to increase our world unity a small portion of culture is worth sacrificing.  I believe that there is a line somewhere, at where to a certain extent the loss of culture has become too great.  I feel that if the entire world spoke English that that could only be a good thing.  Just look at that single thought, if the entire world could speak English.  If you don’t consider the losses that are currently taking place by the globalization of English, if appears to only bring positive affects.  Trading and overall communication would become much more efficient.  This being said in reality there are losses that come with the spread of the English language.   This is why I believe that in order for our world to benefit most from the human race we need to find that medium, where cultural diversity meets the globalization of unity.

  For the most part I feel that the pros out way the cons and that if I had to choose I would lean more towards one universal language, but very hesitantly.  Its an issue that I ride the fence on, I am all for globalization and international business expansion but the line must be drawn somewhere in terms of the cultural costs.  One girl in my class put it best when she described how there are assumably thousands of stories, wise-tales, and phrases containing valuable cultural meaning and significance that when translated to English may lose mush of their core and essence.  Its also difficult for me now to push for more globalization then is currently in progress, considering I am pretty content with the growth.  Like i said before I tend to ride the fence on this issue, but find myself leaning towards the expansion of English.  Selfish reasons, I must admit, also come to my head when pondering this issue, I speak English, therefore my culture will remain more or less the same, but I must understand that I will miss out on other cultures and so will the people that were born into them. 

         At the rate we are going, as listed in the opening quote, we are not on a good pace.  We are giving up too much culture and I don’t think enough is happening positively in exchange,  i don’t see siginficant changes in the world due to the expansion of English, the only thing evident is the loss of so many languages.  True, I am not the type of person, nor do I work in the type of field that would access me the ability to be able to see what increases in any have been made to the efficiency as to how this world runs.  It may be that the expansion of English is in fact the cause for massive improvements, if so I am not aware but would like to be enlightened.