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By Dayanna GoncalvesThe phenomenon identified in the analysis of the two images can be related to multiple causes and consequences. The discrepancy between both graphics is due to the use of English as a Second Language. In a globalized world, in which communication is getting easier and faster each day, it is natural that solutions to language barriers are sought. One of the solutions is for the greater possible number of people to communicate with the same language.
Linguistic imperialism is a phenomenon that might occur during this process. It consists in the imposition of one language (the official language of an economically and politically more powerful nation) over others. Not only a linguistic matter, it extends itself to a cultural issue, since people tend to value the American language and culture, perpetuating a cultural homogenization, instead of seeing the global relations and uses of English, which would promote a wider and richer view of the heterogeneity of the world.
The English language losing its status of a foreign language, because it is considered necessary in every field of work. Even in the academic world, a paper or article is more likely to be valued and recognized if it is written in English language. In addition, it has become a global/international language. Just as Latin was a world language in the Roman Empire, now English is the language spoken by the greatest number of non-native speakers. It reflects also in the way people learn English, as they seek for communication, not necessarily to get to speak it in the most similar possible way to native speakers.
This process generates transnational communities that work based on multilingualism. The world is highly connected and life experiences are intertwined with others all around the world, the English language being one of the aspects that compose an international cultural identity, therefore a necessity to whoever wants to be inserted in it.
In this ever-changing world, the language professionals have to be able to understand this reality in order to fulfill the purpose of their work, which now also includes multicultural spaces and, literally, the whole world. An English translator nowadays has a very important job that goes both directions: they not only transmit information to non-English speakers in a world in which knowledge is almost a commodity, but they also allow these people to have a voice, since they are highly more likely to be heard if they are spoken/written in the global language.
This process generates transnational communities that work based on multilingualism. The world is highly connected and life experiences are intertwined with others all around the world, the English language being one of the aspects that compose an international cultural identity, therefore a necessity to whoever wants to be inserted in it.
In this ever-changing world, the language professionals have to be able to understand this reality in order to fulfill the purpose of their work, which now also includes multicultural spaces and, literally, the whole world. An English translator nowadays has a very important job that goes both directions: they not only transmit information to non-English speakers in a world in which knowledge is almost a commodity, but they also allow these people to have a voice, since they are highly more likely to be heard if they are spoken/written in the global language.
Writer Dayanna Gonçalves is Brazilian Portuguese and English Language and Translation Intern at Modlingua, India's No1. certified translation and Language service providers based in New Delhi
