This week I began looking at sources to gain insight and inspiration to what I want to portray in my final project and what articles and readings relate to my chosen topic.

I began reading ‘English As A Global Language’ by David Crystal.

He begins his book by saying he believes in two linguistic principles that may be deemed as contradictory:

• The first being he believes in the fundamental value of multilingualism as a world resource as it presents us with different perspectives and insights, and thus enables us to reach a more profound understanding of the nature of the human mind and spirit. He also states that he wishes everyone could be at least bi-lingual, something I also can relate to and agree with as a someone who wasn’t taught her native language. This fosters the idea of ‘historical identity an promotes cultural and mutual respect.
• He then goes on to make a second point being that he believes in the fundamental value of a common language as an amazing possible resource which presents us with unprecedented possibilities for mutual understanding and thus enables us to find fresh opportunities for international cooperation. This idea fosters the idea of unity.

Additionally, this book was written for Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of US English during the time period this book was written who was trying to declare English as the official language of the USA, something to me that seems incredibly controversial.

Some direct quotes for inspiration:

On the global status of English:

“A language achieves a genuinely global status when it develops a special role that is recognized in every country.” (p. 3)
On the diverse ownership of English:

“Indeed if there is one predictable consequence of a language becoming a global language, it is that nobody owns it any more. Or rather everyone who has learned it now owns it – ‘has a share in it’ might be more accurate – and has the right to use it in the way they want.” (p. 1)
On the necessity of a global language:

“The need for a global language is particularly appreciated by the international academic and business communities, and it is here that the adoption of a single lingua franca is most in evidence, both in lecture-rooms and board-rooms.” (p. 12)
On the unifying power of English:

“Learning and using English…will enable us to keep company with kings in the world of ideas and also make it possible for us to share the experiences of our own brothers in the world.” (Harry Mashabela, cited on p. 110)

Another point when discussing English dominance that is discussed in this book is how the origins of computer programming and the Internet is rooted in English, which is part of what influenced my project idea. The excerpt reads:

‘The development of twentieth-century computers has been al
most entirely an American affair. As Michael Specter puts it, in his
NewYorkTimes article: ‘The Internet started in the United States,
and the computer hackers whose reality has always been virtual
are almost all Americans. By the time the net spread, its linguistic
patterns– like its principal architecture and best software– were
all Made in the USA.’ Although computer languages are not like
natural languages, being very restricted, they have inevitably been
greatly influenced by the mother tongue of the programmers
and this has largely been English. The first computer operating
systems automatically used English vocabulary and syntax, as can
be seen in such instructions as ‘Press any key when ready’ and
‘Volume in Drive B has no label’. These are examples from MS
(Microsoft) DOS, the system developed in 1977 by US computer
entrepreneur Bill Gates, and which was adopted by IBM in 1981
for its range of computers. The more recent operating systems,
replacing DOS, have displayed English influence too, though alternatives in a few other languages are now available (where the
commercial advantages have justified the development costs, as
in French and German). And it seems likely that the influence of
English will remain, as programs become increasingly sophisticated and allow users to make more natural-sounding commands.’

I find this passage incredibly interesting due to English dominance taking up so much space in the digital sphere, not just through verbal communication. The historical dominance of the United States in the computer industry, alongside the pioneering role of American computer scientists and entrepreneurs, established English as the foundational language for digital communication and technology.

There are several key points I take away from this passage:

• The inception of modern computing and the internet in the United States led to the natural adoption of English as the primary language for developing operating systems, programming languages, and user interfaces. Figures like Bill Gates, who played a pivotal role in the development of MS DOS, further cemented English’s role in the early stages of computer technology.

• Although computer languages (e.g., C, Java, Python) have a structured syntax that differs significantly from natural languages, their development tools, documentation, and core commands have been predominantly in English. This is evident in operating systems like MS DOS, which use English vocabulary and syntax for commands and instructions, making English a de facto language for programmers and users worldwide.

• The passage suggests that while recent developments have seen operating systems and software offering alternatives in other languages (such as French and German), English’s influence remains strong. This is particularly true as software becomes more sophisticated, requiring natural language processing capabilities that often default to English due to its widespread understanding and use in the tech community.

• The dominance of English in digital technology not only affects how technology is developed but also influences global communication patterns. English becomes a bridge language for users worldwide, facilitating access to information, resources, and collaboration across different cultures and languages.

The passage reflects on the intertwined relationship between technological advancement and linguistic dominance. As English continues to be the primary language of digital innovation, it underscores the importance of considering linguistic diversity and accessibility in the digital age, ensuring that technology remains inclusive and accessible to non-English speakers around the globe. This insight is particularly relevant for my project aiming to leverage immersive and interactive media for education and engagement.

When looking into the this the word ‘default’ stands out to me. The concept of English becoming the ‘default’ language globally, and its designation as the official language in numerous countries, marks a significant shift. However, its emergence as the default language within the digital realm—a development of recent years—carries implications that could potentially exacerbate the pace of cultural erosion. This trend towards English as the primary language for technology and programming may inadvertently limit access to technological advancements for diverse global communities, thereby accelerating the loss of cultural diversity. The purposeful or unintentional prioritisation of English in the digital space raises critical concerns about inclusivity and the preservation of linguistic and cultural heritage in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Overall, the reading I have managed to this week, has raised many thought and ideas in my head I feel as though there are many points that could be made when looking into this issue. How to narrow it down to a one point feels like I would be losing a lot of potential and importance, so streamlining this concept feels like a challenge.