Dergiler / Transynergy Journal of Translation, Literature and Linguistics / 2022 / Volume 1, Issue 1
From Colonial to Postcolonial: Dissemination of the English Language
- Sayfa
- 1–8
- DOI
- —
Özet
Abstract Among the many languages spoken in the world, the English language is the most widely spoken language in regard of the number of speakers of English as a mother tongue, second language, third language, official language, or lingua franca. English has become the world language or international language with the official and practical use of English in international affairs, business, trade, sports, the internet, entertainment, organizations, mass media, politics, and economy. This paper aims to analyze historically how the English language has been used so prevalently in the world from the colonial times to the postcolonial era. The export of the English language to the colonies and dependencies worldwide during the heyday of the British Empire, the role of the education system in establishing the English language in the colonies, and how the linguistic legacy has been maintained up to the 21st century is also within the scope of the paper. This study concludes that the colonial and imperial heritage of the British Empire which transferred the English language to all the continents alongside the other social, economic, political, and military instruments was pivotal in the widespread use of English today and in the United States of America with all its economic and cultural might helped secure the privileged position of English worldwide. Keywords: English, the British Empire, colonial, postcolonial, language
Abstract
Abstract Among the many languages spoken in the world, the English language is the most widely spoken language in regard of the number of speakers of English as a mother tongue, second language, third language, official language, or lingua franca. English has become the world language or international language with the official and practical use of English in international affairs, business, trade, sports, the internet, entertainment, organizations, mass media, politics, and economy. This paper aims to analyze historically how the English language has been used so prevalently in the world from the colonial times to the postcolonial era. The export of the English language to the colonies and dependencies worldwide during the heyday of the British Empire, the role of the education system in establishing the English language in the colonies, and how the linguistic legacy has been maintained up to the 21st century is also within the scope of the paper. This study concludes that the colonial and imperial heritage of the British Empire which transferred the English language to all the continents alongside the other social, economic, political, and military instruments was pivotal in the widespread use of English today and in the United States of America with all its economic and cultural might helped secure the privileged position of English worldwide.