Spaces and forms of power - The English language

This is my last text for my oral examination! Thanks for correcting it :)


Regarding the notion of spaces and exchanges, I will talk about the English language. Indeed, English is the archetypal language of exchanges. How did the English language become such an important means of communicating in international exchanges?

First of all, English is the official language in more than 53 countries, which makes more than 380 millions native speakers. Moreover, English is the official language of the European Union, in the Commonwealth of Nations, and in the United Nations Organization. English is the most learned and studied language in the world. We consider English as the international language, at least for tourism and business. There are various factors that helped to make this language so influential.

Following the Second World War and the strengthening of economic and political weight of the United States, the English language became a pre dominant language, and especially in Europe. The influence of the English language increased due to the globalization of trade dominated by global powers such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Thus, the English language is the base of liberal economies. In recent years the use of English terms in other languages has become very popular. Indeed, it’s a sign of modernity. 

The use of the English language is as significant in areas such as computing or telecommunication as the Italian language is used for music or the French language for ballet. More and more scientific research works are written in English or translated to this language. In some non-English speaking countries, English has become official for a big part of the higher education. For example, in Switzerland, English has become the language for some specific courses, mainly in scientific and technical faculties.
However, the prominence of English is quite controversial. Indeed, some researchers denounce its increasing domination, which they describe as a linguistic imperialism. According to them, this could lead to hegemony (when English replaces other languages) or social selection (we must speak English to be in part of the elite).
The Esperanto language, for example, is one of the alternatives suggested by those who don’t want the English language to be the international language.
It’s also in this regard that is discerned, in France, the « Prix de la Carpet anglaise » is intended to criticize the French personalities who make use of English unjustifiably.