The Impact of

Globalization
Language and Globalization
 Definition
• Language
-Language, a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or written
symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group
 and participants in its culture, express themselves. (Britannica.com)
- A body of words and the systems for their use common to a people who are
of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or of the same
cultural tradition(Dictionary.com)
-Any system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, gestures, or the like
used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, emotion, etc.
- A system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and
written symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or
region for talking or writing.
 Functions
• Five Functions of Language
1. Informational – to convey information such as stating facts and ideas
2. Expressive – to express emotions
3. Directive – to give orders, commands
4. Aesthetic – to create artistic effect
5. Phatic – to maintain social bonds
 Communication and Globalization

• As technology advances, the world is getting smaller. Today we are able to

communicate with people across the globe at the touch of a button. While
globalization, or communication between nations beyond their borders, is an
old concept, with the onset of new technology globalization is affecting the
ways we communicate and learn in fascinating ways. We are expanding our
understanding of fellowship and as we become more connected, we are
deepening our educational experiences.
• The rise in the use of the internet in particular has been incredibly
instrumental in improving the ways in which we connect with one another.
Because of technologies like the internet, we have the opportunity to view
diverse perspectives that overlooks outside of our scope before. We are
able to fully connect with someone who is thousands of miles away in real
time and the effects are profound.
 Impacts of Globalization on Language
• “Globalization” is a social process “characterized by the existence of
global economic, political, cultural, linguistic and environmental
interconnections and flows that make the many of the currently existing
borders and boundaries irrelevant.”
• Globalization is readily increasing in today’s world. This increase in
globalization has many effects on language, both positive and negative.
These effects on language in turn affect the culture of the language in
many ways.
• However, with globalization allowing languages and their
cultures to spread and dominate on a global scale, it also
leads to the extinction of other languages and cultures.
• Language contributes to the formation of culture, such as
through vocabulary, greetings or humor. Language is in a
sense the substance of culture. Languages serve as
important symbols of group belonging, enabling different
groups of people to know what ethnic groups they belong
to, and what common heritages they share. Without a
language, people would lose their cultural identity.
• Languages are the essential medium in which the
ability to communicate across culture develops.
Knowledge of one or several languages enables us to
perceive new horizons, to think globally, and to
increase our understanding of ourselves and of our
neighbors. Languages are, then, the very lifeline of
globalization: without language, there would be no
globalization; and vice versa, without globalization,
there would be no world languages.
• Today there are about 6,500 different natural languages.
Eleven of them account for the speech of more than half the
world’s population. Those eleven are Mandarin Chinese,
Spanish, Hindi, French, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian,
German, Japanese, Arabic, and English. According to Garrick
Bailey and James People in their book Humanity: An
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, estimates for extinct
languages range from 4,000 to 9,000 since the 15th century.
Other estimates for the future predict that only 10 percent of
the present languages will continue into the 22nd century.
 English Language and Globalization

• We can say that almost everywhere language is

used as an identity to be part of the “world
system” now, and the thing about any system that
integrates people is that it benefits its architects.
Imported cultures are going to push out
indigenous ones.
• It’s clear that globalization is making English especially important
not just in universities, but in areas such as computing, diplomacy,
medicine, shipping, and entertainment. No language is currently
being learned by more people — there may soon be 2 billion
actively doing so — and the desire to learn it reflects a desire to be
plugged into a kind of “world brain.”
• To many people, then, the spread of English seems a positive thing,
symbolizing employment, education, modernity, and technology.
But to plenty of others it seems threatening. They hold it responsible
for grinding down or homogenizing their identities and interests.  
• This endangerment of languages can have a drastic effect
on the cultures that loses their identity. Effects on language
loss on cultures might include: dismay at the realization
that the native language is lost; anti-social behavior as
minority will desperately try to preserve their language.
• Therefore, it is important for cultures to preserve their
language. Despite the increase in globalization, this is
possible in many ways, such as language classes,
promoting the native language in homes, schools, art, and
thus promoting a strong national identity.
 The Effects of Globalization on Global
Communication
• Increased Business Opportunities
Many companies today hire employees that are located in other countries. Using
communication vehicles such as video calling make it simple to converse with
colleagues across the globe, almost making it feel as if they are in the same room.
Technology also makes it easier to connect with suppliers and customers all over
the world, and to streamline relationship through improved ordering, shipment
tracking and so on. With this kind of communication technology, many businesses
are able to take advantage of opportunities in different countries or cities,
improving the economic outlook on a global level.
• Fewer Cultural Barriers
Many people perceive culture to be the root of communication
challenges. When people from two different cultures try to exchange
information, the way they speak, their body language or their
mannerisms can be interpreted differently by the other person. The
way people approach problems and how they participate in
communities is all influenced by culture. Globalization has made it
possible, for example, for someone in Japan to understand how
someone in the U.S. goes about their day. With television and
movies, cultural barriers are becoming less prevalent. Being able to
communicate effectively and frequently with colleagues or friends
across the planet helps people understand each other‘s cultures a
little better.
• Creation of a Global Village
The phrase "global village," was coined by theorist Marshall McLuhan.
Affected both by globalization and global communication, the global
village is created when distance and isolation no longer matter because
people are connected by technology. Wide-spread telephone and internet
access have been life-changing for many people across the world,
especially those in developing countries. Many are now enrolling in
universities across the world without having to leave their desk chair.
Virtual assistant jobs are becoming common, where employees from
developing countries work with companies in North America or Europe,
providing administrative support and other business services that can
easily be conducted over the phone or via the internet.
• For Supplemental Learning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSeKhd--LQI
End of Presentation