Wednesday, January 29, 2020

English Dominance Essay Example for Free

English Dominance Essay English is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Globally around 380 million people speak English as their first language, 250 million use it as their second language, and 1 billion are in the process of learning it and about one third of the global population are affected by it one way or the other. By the year 2050 it is forecasted that around a half of the world will be able to communicate properly in English. (Pennycook A. 1994) English is on its way to become a dominant global language. The language has developed to become the language of use in international trade, international science conferences, and global politics. The predominant usage of English has gone further to affect international and regional organizations such as World Bank, European Union, and other multinational companies. (Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002) English dominance originated from political suppression and economical manipulation by Britain and United States. Some policies of international organization such as World Bank have served to propagate the dominance of English in developing countries (Keal, P 1983). However, the most important factor that has led English to become such a globally spoken language is the emergence of United States of America as a ‘world super power’ a nation that uses English as its major language of communication. (Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002). Since the United States and Britain dominate in the international organizations such as World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO) and so on, this has influenced such worldwide entities to use English as a major language of communication. ((Brutt-Griffler, J. 2002) The use of English as the dominant language in these organizations has generated enormous benefits especially in the ease of operation. However it has not been smooth sailing has a myriad of controversies have continued to emerge because of the same dominance. (Keal, P 1983). â€Å"Linguistic dominance has its origins in conquest, military and political subjugation, and economic exploitation. The role of language in imperial expansion has been a central element of the europeanisation of the world† (Robert P) This view has continued to emerge in many forums where most nations (especially the non-English speaking) have constantly objected to the dominance of English because it has been seen as a way of â€Å"Europeanizing† others. (Robert P) The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze both the benefits and costs with the purpose of establishing the direction the organizations are likely to take in this thorny and controversial issue. Benefits of English language in International organizations Communication This is perhaps the greatest benefit that the domination of English has brought to almost all world bodies. Having one language as a â€Å"lingua franca† facilitates or breaks down the communication barriers. (Gary C) Members of such bodies like the United Nation, the World Bank are able to communicate easily despite the fact that they come from different countries and cultural backgrounds. In fact most delegates of European Union and common wealth are able to speak English as their second language. What this means is that a Chinese is able to communicate effectively with a German national despite their cultural differences. (Edwards, J 1985). Because of globalization, there has come a need for faster communication tools and processes. Internet has played a significant role in speeding up the globalization phenomena because it is very fast and inexpensive. (UNESCO) The language that has dominated most of the Internet use is English slated at approximately 80% usage on the websites. This has enabled most of the international organization’s develop communication channels via the Internet that eases the mode and the cost of communication. The organizations have been able to implement most of their programs within specified period across the globe. (UNESCO) Up to 700,000,000 people speak English language across the globe, what this means is that almost all countries of the world have a sizeable number of people who are able to communicate in English. This makes it easier for the International organizations to operate and find employees in the respective countries, thereby lowering their payroll budgets because they do not have to employ expatriates who are normally very expensive to retain. A good example is the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) that is located in Kenya, Africa. The local citizens here speak English as the second language, and are competent in its use. (Martinez Cobo 1984). The organization has not had any problem in recruiting locally thereby saving a lot in the payroll budget. Fostering global peace The ability of many United Nations mediators to communicate in English coupled with the increased usage of English in many states of the world has enabled conflicts that arise between various states to be solved efficiently. In addition, many English speaking nations especially the members of the Common Wealth are able to establish strong diplomatic relationships with ease since language has not been a barrier. (Maurais J. Morris, M. A. 2003) Facilitating international business English as an international business language has facilitated commercial transactions among the member states of European Union, Common Wealth, and Association Of South East Asian Countries. This is more evident in the software market whereby many soft wares have been produced in English language. (Rudby, R. Saraceni, M. 2006) A good example of a country that can attest to the advantages of knowing how to speak in English is India. It has reaped enormous benefits in the global market from its citizen’s competence on spoken English. According to Rudby and Saraceni this has prompted nations like China to encourage its citizens to learn English language. Currently China has the largest number of people studying English and has made English compulsory from third grade. (Rudby, R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Sharing of information and ideas It is a requirement for scientists from different parts of the world to publish their findings in English language and thereby enabling any English speakers to be able to access a wide range of information from various experts and from different part of then world. Some scientists are also able to use these published reports as valuable inputs to their researches. Empowers the United Nations to address various problems in the world Enhanced communication resulting from the common usage of English by many countries of united nation has enabled such countries to put across their valuable contribution in solving current global issues like terrorism, famine and diseases. (Rudby R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Pre- dominance of English in Common Wealth countries enable the member countries to adopt policies geared towards ensuring efficient delivery of aid and other humanitarian services across the globe. (Rudby R. Saraceni, M. 2006) Negative effects of English dominance It has contributed to conflicts in the European Union Having a single language seems to be the most ideal and efficient solutions for the European Union but many members who do not come from Anglophone communities find such arrangement unacceptable. Current the language policy in the European Union grants every language an equal status whereby any language can be used to conduct meetings and translations are provided for other language speakers. (Robert P) However there is a provision to the extent that â€Å"the institution especially the preparatory committee of European Union may stipulate in their own rules of procedure which of the language to be used in each specific cases. † (Robert P) This has served to encourage some languages to become more dominant than others especially English which is frequently chosen in such situations. This has led members of major language speakers like French and German to fiercely protest fearing that their international status of their languages may be lowered. (Martinez Cobo 1984). There is also a growing concern among the non -English members of the European Union that English dominance is crossing over the boundaries of international organization to entrench itself to education and other sectors of the other countries. (Mary K. Flynn). Germany has been the most affected whereby English has became a general subject in primary schools of many states and has grown into official language of many companies and firms together with Germany. This has consequently resulted to a diminished status of the German language and criticism that imposing English as the first language to all pupils is against the concept of promoting cultural diversity in them. (Mary K. Flynn).

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Harsh Perspectives of Youth in Garland’s The Beach :: Garland The Beach Essays

Harsh Perspectives of Youth in Garland’s The Beach  Ã‚  Ã‚   As his narrator, Garland offers us Richard, a less than balanced individual, in possession of a tenuous grip upon reality. He is arrogant and reckless, often believing himself to have nothing left to learn ("Fucking New Guy? ... New to what?" p87) and convinced of his own immortality ("Yea, though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil, for I am the evilest motherfucker in the valley" p87) The beach is supposed to represent the highest level of escape attainable, but can only be from the outset a disappointment, because it is already built up in his mind into something unobtainable; "It's silly really. I think I was expecting an . . . ideology or something. A purpose." p96 Richard being the narrative voice, one can logically infer that it is his perspective which is intended by Garland to be representative of the youth culture depicted. My first impression is that the very fact that Richard commits his story to text is indicative of a desperate need for recognition, and his style of narration suggests that its writing is not likely to be meant as a catharsis. As a character, he is shallow and self-glorifying beyond the point to which readers might sympathise with his reckless actions: p163 "Collecting ... experiences was my primary goal when I first started travelling. I went about it in the same way as a stamp-collector goes about collecting stamps ... Then I had to graduate to the more obscure stuff. Being in a riot was something I pursued with a truly obsessive zeal, along with being tear-gassed and hearing gunshots fired in anger." The cultural phenomenon of travelling, as distinct from tourism, is one reserved for domination almost exclusively by youth. In Richard's mind, as in others, it becomes the acquisition of experiences with only slight moral differentiation between them, merely a reinforcement in the mind of the collector of their own broadening life perspective; a form of validation which, whilst owing nothing to established mainstream cultural value systems, replaces these with a generation-created classification hierarchy which is just as strict. Established value systems provide the catalyst for tensions within the group, which emerge at the earliest stages immediately upon Richard's arrival: "There's only five people with Walkmans in the camp, and I've refused all of them batteries in the past.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Mediating Morality Essay

This case has lots of different goals by each person and different feelings about what needs to be done. Syl priority is to get the project completed while Daniel is more focused on his belief that he is being discriminated against. Robert also wants to get the project completed but does not want to work with Daniel the same way his was before he discovered Daniel is in a homo-sexual relationship. Syl did a good thing having separate conversations with both Daniel and Robert on a way to still complete the project but when she brought them together to discuss how they would precede it fell apart. I believe when things became heated she should have ended the meeting. Allowing the guys to argue back and forth created more tension in the situation. I also believe that she should have been more commanding of here statements and not allow Robert to spread his bias to other employees. Daniel is worried about Robert spreading rumors and dislike for him to other employees. This is especially true because Robert is bringing two other employees into the project to replace Daniel because of he doesn’t like Daniel’s lifestyle. I also agree with Syl about Daniel not having a discrimination lawsuit because this situation is not hurting Daniel’s work life unless they do not complete the project. He may become uncomfortable with certain co-workers because of them listening to Robert but his work position and being able to advance it will not be affected. Robert’s priority is to also complete the project but he does not want to complete it with Daniel. He believes moral standards should be upheld in the workplace and this is important. The only thing I have against this is that this company already has a benefits process in place for same sex spouses. Knowing the company has this if Robert does not believe in same sex marriage and does not want to be around it he should consider finding a new job. This is a hard case to digest and deal with but well placed mediation and goal setting can help the process. Robert should consider a new job or counseling to help deal with his dislike of same sex marriage. Daniel should not let this affect his priorities of completing the project.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

High School Should Not Be Legal - 931 Words

What is the most common reason why high school would go to college? My old friend Sean Kisch is going to graduate with a major in music. His eldest sister will be done with her degree in modern dance this semester. Looking at myself, I am not that far along. I attempted to navigate around college because it was seen as too expensive. The mountain of debt for going to a private Christian college is to grate to pay off. Most people are not made out of money. The money may not be the case because an alternative does exist, it just is not as glorious. A person can obtain an associate’s degree at a community college for considerably less. Which is the choice I have made. I remember watching part of my brothers Dave Ramsey financial piece university video. It stated that most high school teens have the expectation of making mountains of cash. Most expected after college, they would make around one hundred thousand dollars or more. 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