Topic 6: The advantages of the spread of English as a global language will continue to

outweigh its disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree ?

) global language, lingua franca (
) people of all race with different language backgrounds ) ( stay in touch simultaneously ) ;( the
language of global corporate management, the Internet, culture and science ( ) key areas of global
communication ) .( working language ;(
) necessity in the everyday life ) ;( the trend toward globalization ) ,( operate locally or domestically ;(
) easy to master ( ) compared to most other European languages, English has a minimal grammar
(language standardization) (protect those cultures that are on the verge of etinction)
) spread of English ) ( language loss ,(
) non!English speakers ( ) can be bilingual ) ,( beginner or intermediate level English ( ) achieve
mutual comprehension ) ,( mother tongues ;(
) English speakers ) ( polyglots or bilingual native speakers ) ( monolinguals ) ( cater to local cultural
values ,( ) eplore the global market (
) global language, lingua franca (
) English!speaking countries ) ( serve the economic and cultural interests ) ;( integrity ) ,(
conventions ) ,( "esternized or #mericanized ) ,( pose a serious threat to indigenous people and
languages (
) non!English speakers )( study a culture and its literature to an advanced level ) ,( lack of culture and
language diversity (
In these years, there is a growing recognition that English is well on its way to becoming
a dominant global language. The impact of this trend is a subject of intense debate. It is my
opinion than advantages of a dominant global language will continue to outweigh its
disadvantages .
The rise of a global language is a facilitator of cross-cultural communication and the
communication between people with different language backgrounds. In different areas of
global communication, such as science and news, recognizing a common language removes
communication barriers and increases convenience. n many formal occasions, English as a
working language, boosts efficiency and avoids misunderstanding. !ikewise, the e"change of
essential information like knowhow and technologies will be tremendously prompted .
ne might argue that the rise of a global language would endanger other languages, in a
belief that an increasing number of people have turned to English as their first language. This
viewpoint is flawed. The spread of global English has little, if any, influence on non-English-
speakers# language proficiency. $eople might be motivated to learn English as a foreign
language but do not necessarily drop their native language because learning beginner or
intermediate level English is sufficient for day-to-day communication .
The dominance of English as a global language is, therefore, not a cause of the loss of
language diversity. Its negative effect is reflected mainly in cultural imperialism. %s
international media recognizes English as its root language, most of the broadcasted
information is related to the lifestyle, norms and beliefs of English-speaking countries. It
might over time put many minority cultures on the verge of e"tinction, when those ethnic
groups gradually adopt the &estern culture. The effects of shrinking cultural diversity are
destructive, causing people to live in a simple and monotonous world and think and act in
1
similar ways .
The development of English is overall, a positive global trend. It connects people who
previously spoke different languages and enables them to e"change ideas, although it might
lead to the loss of cultural diversity .
$ . %now!how&knowledge
' . (rompt&encourage&stimulate&trigger
) . Imperialism&colonialism
* . +n the verge of&on the brink of&on the edge of
, . -estructive&damaging&devastating&in.urious&detrimental
/ . 0onnect&unite&link
2