David Crystal - Will English Always Be the Global Language?

Summary

This script explores the unpredictable future of language, using Latin's decline as a historical precedent. It posits that the global status of English hinges on the power dynamics of nations and their influence. The speaker discusses how English became global due to British and American dominance in various fields, including science, technology, banking, and culture. The script also contemplates the possibility of other languages like Spanish or Arabic becoming dominant and the emergence of a 'global English' that blends various regional dialects, reflecting a melting pot of cultural identities.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The future of language is uncertain and tied to the future of society, with power being the main driver behind language dominance.
• 📚 Latin was once a dominant language but is now only used in specific contexts, illustrating how language status can change over time.
• 🌏 English became a global language due to various factors such as the British Empire, American influence, the Industrial Revolution, and cultural power.
• 💡 The language of science, technology, international banking, and the internet was predominantly English, but the internet has become more multilingual.
• 🏛 English will remain a global language as long as powerful nations use it and others wish to interact or trade with them.
• 🌍 The possibility exists for other languages to become dominant if power dynamics shift, such as with Chinese or Spanish, which is the fastest-growing language in terms of population.
• 📈 The number of English speakers is increasing, with over two billion people speaking it, making it the most spoken language in history.
• 🔠 American English has a significant influence on other English varieties, including British English, and this trend may continue.
• 🌈 There is a trend towards the development of distinct English varieties that reflect regional cultural identities, such as Indian English.
• 🔄 The global spread of English could lead to a 'melting pot' of Englishes, where no single variety dominates and a lingua franca emerges.
• 🗣️ People naturally accommodate to different English accents and dialects as they travel and interact with others, contributing to the diversity of global English.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that asking about the future of language is closely tied to the future of society?

The speaker believes that language is closely tied to the future of society because the global status of a language is driven by the power and influence of the people who speak it. As societies and their power dynamics change, so too does the prevalence and dominance of their languages.

What historical factors contributed to the global dominance of the English language?

The global dominance of English is attributed to several historical factors: the British Empire's colonial expansion, American imperialism, the Industrial Revolution, international banking and finance, and cultural influences such as pop music, advertising, air traffic control, and the internet.

According to the speaker, what could cause the decline of English as a global language?

The decline of English as a global language could occur if American power diminishes and other nations, such as China or Spanish-speaking countries, become more dominant. If these nations assert their languages globally, English might lose its prominence.

What trends are emerging in the use of English around the world?

Emerging trends include the rise of various Englishes, such as Indian English, which have distinct features in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Additionally, there is an increasing trend toward using a 'lingua franca English,' which is a mixture of different English varieties used in international communication.

How does American English influence other varieties of English, according to the speaker?

American English influences other varieties of English in spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. For example, British English has adopted American spelling conventions, such as using 'e' instead of 'ae' in 'encyclopedia,' and American pronunciations like 'schedule' instead of 'schedule.'

What is 'lingua franca English,' and why might it become the norm in the future?

'Lingua franca English' is a form of English that incorporates elements from various English dialects and is not tied to any specific culture. It might become the norm because it allows people from different linguistic backgrounds to communicate effectively in a globalized world.

Why did Americans create a distinct American English, according to the speaker?

Americans created a distinct American English to assert their identity separate from British English after gaining independence. This led to the development of unique American spellings, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

How does the speaker describe the future of English in the short term?

In the short term, the speaker sees no change in the dominance of English as a global language. The number of English speakers is still increasing, and there is no sign of a decrease in the desire to learn English.

What role does cultural identity play in the development of different English varieties?

Cultural identity plays a significant role in the development of different English varieties, as people in different regions adapt English to reflect their own cultural contexts. This leads to the creation of distinct Englishes, such as Indian English or Nigerian English, that differ from British or American English.

How does the speaker's personal experience with different English dialects illustrate the broader trends in English usage?

The speaker's experience of adapting to different English dialects based on location and context illustrates how English speakers naturally accommodate and incorporate elements from various Englishes. This reflects the broader trend of English evolving into a more diverse and adaptable global language.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 The Future of Language and Global Power Dynamics

This paragraph delves into the unpredictable nature of language evolution, using Latin as an example of a once-dominant language that has receded in common usage. It posits that the future of any language, including English, is tied to societal and global power shifts. The speaker highlights historical reasons for English's global status, such as the influence of the British Empire, American imperialism, the Industrial Revolution, economic power, and cultural impact through media and the internet. The paragraph suggests that English's global status is contingent upon the continued power and influence of English-speaking nations, particularly the United States, but also acknowledges potential shifts in dominance to other languages like Chinese or Spanish, depending on future socio-political changes.

05:01

📚 The Emergence and Impact of Global English

The speaker discusses the relatively recent concept of 'Global English,' which gained traction in the late 20th century. They note the role of institutions like the United Nations in facilitating global communication and the influence of American English on other English varieties, including British English. Examples of American English's impact on spelling, pronunciation, and grammar are given, such as the shift from 'encyclopaedia' to 'encyclopedia' and the adoption of American pronunciations and grammatical structures in British English. The paragraph also touches on the desire of non-English speaking nations to establish their own English varieties that reflect their cultural identities, as seen in the distinct evolution of Indian English and its unique grammatical structures.

10:02

🌐 The Potential Merging of English Varieties into a Global Lingua Franca

In this paragraph, the speaker contemplates the possibility of a future English that is a blend of various regional Englishes, becoming a true lingua franca not identifiable with any single culture or nation. They suggest that the global use of English could lead to a melting pot of linguistic features, with contributions from Indian English, Australian English, American English, British English, and more. The speaker also reflects on personal experiences with different English dialects, including Welsh English, Liverpool English, and how accents and dialects can be influenced by social interactions and geographical location. The paragraph concludes with the notion that the number of English varieties is vast and ever-changing, influenced by global movement and cultural exchange.

Keywords

💡Global Language

A global language is a language that is widely spoken and understood across the world, often due to historical, cultural, or economic influences. In the video, English is discussed as a current global language, with its spread and dominance attributed to the power of the British Empire and American imperialism, as well as its association with science, technology, and international banking.

💡Power and Language

The concept of power and language in the video refers to the idea that the prominence of a language is often tied to the political, economic, or cultural power of the people who speak it. The video suggests that the global status of English is a result of the historical power of English-speaking nations and the desire of others to engage with or emulate that power.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity in the context of the video is the unique characteristics and traditions that define a group of people. It is mentioned in relation to how different English-speaking countries or regions have their own varieties of English that reflect their cultural identities, such as Indian English, Australian English, and American English.

💡Lingua Franca

A lingua franca is a common language used for communication between speakers of different native languages. The video discusses the possibility of a future global English becoming a lingua franca that is not culturally identifiable with any one place but is a mixture of various Englishes from around the world.

💡American English

American English is a variety of the English language that is spoken in the United States. The video highlights the influence of American English on other English dialects, such as British English, and how it could potentially dominate other varieties due to the cultural and economic power of the United States.

💡British Empire

The British Empire was a historical empire on which the sun never set, with territories around the globe. In the video, the empire's influence is cited as one of the reasons for the global spread of English, as it was the language of administration, trade, and education in many of its colonies.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution refers to the period during the 18th and 19th centuries when agrarian societies became industrialized. The video notes that during this time, English became the predominant language of science and technology, further solidifying its global status.

💡Internet and Language

The video discusses the role of the internet in language dissemination, noting that while it started as an English-language medium, it has since become multilingual. This change reflects the dynamic nature of language in the digital age and its potential to influence the future of English.

💡Future of Language

The future of language in the video is a central theme, exploring the potential changes and developments in the English language over time. It questions whether English will continue to be a global language or if other languages might rise to prominence, influenced by shifts in global power dynamics.

💡Cultural Power

Cultural power in the video is the influence that a culture has on other cultures through various forms of expression, such as music, film, and literature. The video points out that English became a global language partly due to the cultural power of English-speaking countries, particularly in the 20th century.

💡Dialects and Accents

Dialects and accents refer to variations in language that are characteristic of a particular group of speakers. The video uses the speaker's own ability to switch between different English dialects and accents as an example of how language can adapt and reflect regional and cultural identities.

Highlights

The unpredictability of language evolution; Latin's decline from a common language to a specialized use.

Language is global due to the power of the people who speak it, not by any other inherent reason.

English became global due to the historical influence of the British Empire, American imperialism, and the Industrial Revolution.

The role of money and the dominance of British and American economies made English the language of international banking.

Cultural power in the 20th century solidified English's status, including its influence on pop culture, advertising, and media.

The internet started as an English medium but has since become multilingual.

English's status as a global language depends on the power dynamics of nations and their desire to interact with powerful English-speaking countries.

Scenarios are presented where English may no longer be the dominant global language, including the rise of Chinese or Spanish.

The current trend shows no sign of English's prestige diminishing, with the number of English speakers continuing to rise.

The concept of 'Global English' is a recent phenomenon, with the first discussions and literature emerging in the late 20th century.

The United Nations serves as an institution that necessitates a global language for international communication.

American English is influencing other English varieties, including British English, in spelling, pronunciation, and grammar.

The desire for a distinct national identity, as seen in the creation of American English, is now happening globally with other English varieties.

The potential for a future English that is a blend of various global Englishes, reflecting diverse cultural identities.

The increase in the use of the present continuous tense in English, influenced by global trends and marketing.

The idea of a 'lingua franca' English that is not culturally identifiable with any one region, but a mixture of global influences.

Personal narrative on the speaker's experience with various English dialects and the natural accommodation to different accents.

Transcripts

[Music]

asking about the future of language is

that way Madness

lies who would have predicted a thousand

years ago that Latin would no longer be

used in a thousand years Time by hardly

anybody you know I mean obviously Latin

is still used in certain circumstances

but it would not be the normal education

to be fluent in Latin if you'd said that

a thousand years ago people would have

said you were mad so in a thousand years

time will English still be a global

language we could all be speaking

Martian by then if they land and take

over you know who knows what's going to

happen to ask about the future of

language is to really ask about the

future of society and futurologists are

just as unclear about what will happen

eventually as I am about language

because language you see is global for

one reason only and that is the power of

the people who speak it power always

drives language there is no other reason

to speak somebody else's language other

than you want to improve your quality of

life or you want to influence them in

some way or whatever it might be I mean

the tradition in English of course

English became Global for a whole

variety of reasons first of all the

power of the British Empire later the

power of American

imperialism later the in the 17th

century the power of the Industrial

Revolution which meant that the language

of Science and Technology became English

predominantly in the 19th century the

power of money money talks and the two

most productive nations of the world

were Britain and America both using

English so the language of international

banking became the pound and the dollar

English once again and then in the 20th

century cultural power as you all know

because every aspect of culture you've

encountered has some sort of history in

the English language like pop songs for

example uh International advertising uh

air traffic control the development of

radio and television the development of

the internet internet 100% an English

language medium when it started though

today only a fraction of the internet is

English internet has become

multilingual so what's going to happen

next English will stay a global language

as long as certain things happen first

of all that the Nations that are

recognized as the most powerful nations

in the world continue to use English and

all the other nations want to be like

them or want to interact with them or

want to sell things to them and so on

and so English will stay like that for

as long as those Nations retain that

kind of power and we're talking mainly

America here aren't we

predominantly on the other hand it

doesn't take a uh it isn't rocket

science to think of scenarios where for

whatever reason American power

diminishes the power of some other

nations grow uh grows um and you get

other parts of the world becoming more

dominant and you know people say well

what about Chinese well one day maybe

at the moment there's no sign of chin

China wanting Chinese to be a global

language because they're all learning

English in China for the most part but

you can imagine a scenario where it was

the other way around you can imagine a

scenario in Spanish the most Spanish is

the fastest growing language in the

world at the moment population wise

because of South America and Central

America and increasingly in North

America Spanish is becoming very widely

used you can imagine a scenario where

one day we might all end up speaking

Spanish in another scenario you can

imagine one day we might all end up

speaking Arabic for reasons that are

perfectly obvious to anybody who looks

at the world so all of these things

could happen at the moment there's no

sign of a diminution in The Prestige of

English the desire to learn English the

figures are going up and up and up every

year at the moment over two billion

people speak English there's never been

so many people speaking one language

before and there's no sign of any slack

blackening off in that progress so the

long-term future no idea the shortterm

future no change and for people who

asked that question implicit in it I

think is the question what English will

it be that continues for a while to be

the global language what English will it

be

indeed there are so many answers to this

question really if you look at what's

happening at the moment then you see

certain Trends remember that this whole

business of Global English is very

recent nobody was talking about global

English 30 years ago I only started

giving lectures on global English in the

1980s the first books on global English

were not written until the end of the

1990s and so we're talking about a very

recent Trend

here the world needs a global language

because countries want to talk to each

other so there have to be institutions

to enable that to happen and the obvious

institution is the United Nations so the

UN is only you know 19 40s when there

were 50 or so nations in it and now

there are nearly 200 and so suddenly the

world is talking the countries of the

world are talking to each other now what

kind of English will it be well if you

join the club as it were the English

speaking Club you will as at joining any

club you will look to

the the senior members as it were the

most established members and you look at

the statistics you'll speak the English

that you most of often encounter in the

world and that of course is American

English and so that is one scenario that

American English will ultimately

dominate all other varieties of English

and we already see this happening in

small ways don't we in British English

for instance you see the impact of

American English in all sorts of ways on

spelling for example you know once upon

a time you'd spell the word

encyclopedia with an AE in the middle in

a traditional British way the American

way is to spell it with an e in the

middle and now in Britain virtually

everybody spells it with an e in the

middle and so you see American English

coming in in

pronunciation I say

schedule all my kids say

schedule that's happened in a generation

that's an American pronunciation that's

taken over and similarly in grammar uh

you get American English grammar

influencing British English grammar a

lot I've just eaten I'd use the present

perfect I would uh but an awful lot of

young people today say I just ate or I

just at depending on your pronunciation

you use the American you know they use

the the predate form past tense form so

there are differences there American

vocabulary coming into British English

as well only a little bit in the other

direction you can go to New York now and

see pubs everywhere um well that's a

British term so there is a little bit of

movement in both ways but it's large one

way and now I've been to Australia and

one of the complaints that people have

in Australia is the American English

that's coming into Australian English

and I see this everywhere so that is one

scenario but there is a different

scenario as well and it is

this why is their American English in

the first place because the Americans

wanted to identify themselves as

American and not as British it was quite

conscious decision when America became

independent Noah Webster among others

said we want an American English for an

American identity for the new nation and

that's where American spellings started

you see and how new American vocabulary

got into dictionaries now what happened

in America then is now happening

globally so all over the english-

speaking world people are saying well

you can be British if you like you can

be American if you like but we want to

be Indian or we want to be Nigerian or

we want to be Ghan or what have you and

in and the English that we use will

reflect that cultural identity now we're

not talking just a few people here you

see in India nobody knows exactly how

many but there must be at least 400

million people speaking English in India

speaking Indian English not speaking

British English or American English or

anything like that quite distinctive

English too both in pronunciation in

vocabulary even in grammar so just to

give you an example the typical Indian

use of the present tense would be with

verbs that I don't use in the continuous

form for and I bet you don't either very

much although usage is changing so I

would say I know something I think about

it I remember this but in Indian English

you will hear I am

knowing I am knowing the answer to your

question I am thinking about it yes I am

remembering what you are saying you know

I am knowing I am thinking I am

remembering now this is not a

traditional British or American usage

but it's dominant in India and not just

India but also Sri Lanka and the other

countries around now because there is so

much movement around the globe now and

there are so many people of ethnically

South Asian origin in Britain now you

hear that a lot of the time in Britain

and it coincides with another Trend

which you must have noticed a general

increase in the use of the present

continuous where one once upon a time

you would have had the present simple

and the best example I can think of is

McDonald's slogan what is

it you all know it I'm loving it I am

loving it well think about that for a

second you would never have said that 20

years ago you know you'd have said I

love it but now people are saying I'm

loving it yeah I'm loving it and

McDonald's is fostering that kind of

switch so the Indian usage is coinciding

with this General trend

and therefore could the English of the

future be some sort of

amalgam of all sorts of English from

around the world you know bits of Indian

English bits of Australian English bits

of American English bits of British

English who knows bits of Serbian

English you know everybody can put

something into the Melting Pot of

English so that when people meet from a

whole variety of Nations as you get so

often in business meetings and

international conferences or just in a

hotel in any part of the world and

English is being used as a lingua franka

could a lingua franka English and that's

the term that's often used these days

which is culturally not identifiable

with any one place because it's a

mixture of everything could that be the

norm and I think probably that's the way

it's going to go and just to close off

this section and very briefly how many

bits of englishes would you say you

speak how many englishes well just a

figure yeah random well I speak the

English I'm using to you now is my sort

of Posh British English uh that I would

use uh which doesn't reflect my Origins

if I go back home to where I live which

is in

Wales my second language is

Welsh if I'm chatting with people in the

locality lots of little Welsh words are

going to slip into my conversation

there's going to be a much stronger

Welsh accent than perhaps I'm using to

you now do you hear the difference if I

start speaking in a Welsh sort of way

now to you um there'd be little bits of

Welsh grammar coming in and so on uh so

there's that but then when I was 10 I

moved to Liverpool and this is the

decade of the Beatles I was nearly a

beetle once for reasons we can go into

another day um and I therefore learned

Liverpool English uh so that's another

variety that I have at my disposal when

I go back to Liverpool I can speak

Liverpool English like anybody else oh I

can speak like Paul McCarney the others

you know I can do this it's it's it's a

natural accent for me though it sounds a

bit artificial now out of context always

takes you a little bit of time to get

into the accent when you go into the new

area and as I travel the world and I

think everybody does this to some extent

you do as well you

accommodate Now by accommodate I mean

you pick up some of the features of the

accent and the dialect that you're part

of that is if you're getting on well

with the people if you like the people

you start slipping into their accent I

bet it happens in Serbian you know one

part of the country and another you meet

and you suddenly start speaking a bit

like the accent of the person from the

other part of the country this happens

all the time on a global scale in

English you see so if I go to America

suddenly before I realize it I'm you

know the r comes into my voice and

suddenly I start speaking like this and

so on and so forth you know I mean if I

go to Ireland I start speaking in an

Irish kind of way so there's no answer

really to the number of varieties that

are there there if you have an ear that

Tunes in to these

[Music]

areas