1. GLOBALIZATION OF LANGUAGE 1
Backlash Against the Globalization of Language:
GST 6100 Final Research Paper
Jacquelynn M. Ayton
Northeastern University
Abstract
This paper explores the impact of globalization on languages around the world, and
more specifically the negative reaction from certain groups concerning the globalization of
their native language. The structure of the paper begins with a discussion of the methodology
used to collect the research and sources, followed by a literature review of the sources used
within the paper, and then data from the research collected is produced and analyzed. After
all these aspects are presented, there will be further discussion on the topic of language
globalization. First, there will be a brief overview of globalization, specifically how it has
impacted languages around the world. Next, there is an elaboration on the way in which
language is connected to culture and politics within various societies. After that, the paper
highlights the positives and negatives concerning the effect of globalization on world
languages. Finally, there is a discussion about why some cultures are strongly resistant to the
globalization of language in general and adamant about the protection of their native
language.
Backlash Against the Globalization of Language
Introduction
In an article entitled Getting Language Rights: The Rhetorics of Language
Endangerment and Loss the author, Joseph Errington discusses what the meaning of language
endangerment and loss is, and further gives an overview of the meaning of language, in
stating,
Languages are seen as mirrors of nature or unique formal systems, instruments of
thought or bodies of identity, objects of inalienable rights or situated resources, etc.
Each image derives rhetorical strength from cultural and political traditions that it
respecifies [sic] and recycles, in this way tacitly helping represent the shape of social
change and possible futures of marginalized communities (2003, p. 729).

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This comment on language and what it generally represents to the world highlights the
importance of language for all peoples and communities throughout the world. With the
current rise of globalization, the prevalence of multiple languages has been affected, in that
there are now fewer languages, which many could perceive as a threat and a negative
outcome of globalization’s impact on our society.
Globalization has had a profound influence on many aspects of the world, and the
area of language is no exception. Although it can be argued that there are positives to having
a globalized tongue, also called a lingua franca, it is further important to address the possible
problems of having a common worldwide language. With what could be deemed the
intensification of globalization in the modern day, there has become an emergence of English
as the most commonly used language for communication among different peoples, especially
within science and academia across the globe. Some would refer to this rise of the English
language as “Americanization” or, comically, “McDonaldization”. Although ease of
communication among multiple language communities is created via this kind of lingua
franca, some cultures zealously defend their native tongue against the insurgence of English,
as it is also infiltrating the language spoken in monolingual communities. The underlying fear
is that the loss of a unique language will lead to the loss of one’s native culture. Furthermore,
the political implications are that a lack of respect for a language or culture could lead to a
loss of power on the world stage. In any case, this globalization of language can be harmful
toward non-English languages and cultures.
In the discussion found at the end of this paper, there is an analysis of the way
globalization has emphasized a common language throughout the world, causing some
languages to die out and other languages to be influenced by a foreign tongue. Furthermore,
the connections between language, culture, and politics will be more thoroughly addressed.
Finally, some of the main reasons will be given for resistance against the development of a
monolingual world. The outcome of the discussion is that language globalization is overall an
inherently negative concept, especially when attempting to maintain the diversity of cultures
that surround us.
Methodology
The methodology for collecting the data and research to write this paper included
gathering background information and utilizing research materials on the topics of language
and globalization in order to support the hypothesis that globalization is in fact detrimental to

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native languages across the globe, and therefore a globalized language is culturally and
politically unviable and could in fact hinder cultural progress and diversification. The
background research included information on languages, and more specifically dead
languages, endangered languages, and languages that have had little to no influence from the
ever-encroaching, international English language. Furthermore, there was research on the
correlation between language and culture and the political implications concerning language
and culture. Lastly, research was gathered on globalization, focusing on how it is creating a
world language and the measures some societies are taking to prevent English from
enveloping or destroying their native tongue and local culture.
The research materials used in this paper were gathered from various sources
including the Northeastern University Library, websites of different organizations, such as
the “Académie Française” and the “Real Academia Española”, and various online news
sources, such as online newspapers. Some of the source material was located via search
engines. The entirety of the sources were found through online platforms, however, some of
the sources were originally in print, although the print forms of these sources were not
utilized for the purpose of this paper.
Literature review
Robert Philipson’s article entitled “Realities and Myths of Linguistic Imperialism”
was mainly written as a response to a critique on his book. In his original book, Philipson
discussed the ideas of linguicism, or the belief that one language is better than another, as
well as linguistic imperialism, which is closely synonymous with the term language
globalization. Philipson’s main argument in the book and article is that globalization has led
to the creation of dominated and dominant languages. According to Philipson, European
languages, such as English and French, are dominant over other indigenous and less-known
languages, such as Native American languages or African tribal languages, and these
dominant languages can have a negative impact on the dominated language and culture. The
other main sources on language and globalization included in this research paper are from
news articles.
There is one news article from The Guardian, a U.K. based newspaper, which
emphasizes the strong ties that French people have with their language, due to the fact that
the French language is seen as an integral part of French culture. The other article, which was
translated in Vox Europ and originally published in Spain’s Él Pais newspaper, discusses

4. GLOBALIZATION OF LANGUAGE 4
student mobility within the European Union and addresses some positive and negative
aspects that exist with regard to having English as a main language of instruction within
European universities for international students. Although the article focuses on universities,
the ideas within it can further be applied to the use of English throughout the European Union
in general and also throughout the world.
Language and Politics, by John G. Joseph, is a book which takes a look at the
political background and foundations of language within society, and explicitly connects
language with politics, which is a connection that is rarely made. Joseph addresses the issue
of meaning with regard to the word “politics”, explaining that,
In everyday usage it signifies what politicians do, affairs of the state, just as Aristotle
assumed and as the etymology of the word politics… suggests. On the other hand,
‘office politics’, ‘sexual politics’ and the like have become perfectly common
vernacular phrases, so it is not just in academic parlance that we find a broader
application of the political to any situation in which there is an unequal distribution of
power, and where individuals’ behaviour [sic] reflects the play of power, or is
guided… by it (2006, p. 3).
Joseph goes on to explain that he uses the term politics within his book when analyzing the
connection between language and politics using both senses of the word as he described it,
which is to say with both the narrow and broad meanings of the word “politics”.
Additionally, there are sources from France, Spain, and Iceland addressing language purism,
which deals with the creation of neologisms, and also discussing the importance of creating
new words within one’s native language as opposed to the utilization of loan words from
foreign languages.
This paper contains three sources detailing language birth, language endangerment,
and language death. One source is the Linguistic Society of America, which has a motto of,
“advancing the scientific study of language”. As part of their scientific pursuit, the Society
has information and data about endangered language in general, as well as some data on
specific endangered languages. Another source in this same vein is an article called
“Language Birth and Death” by Salikoko S. Mufwene. This article delves into the
significance and meaning of language birth and death, and how these occurrences happen in
the world today and throughout history. The final source used for this topic area is an article
from Joseph Errington, which explores language endangerment and loss. Furthermore,

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Errington’s article addresses the impact of globalization on the overall situation of language
endangerment and death.
Data
It is challenging to determine the exact number of languages that are spoken around
the word. “According to one count, 6,703 separate languages were spoken in the world in
1996” (Woodbury, 2012). This is only one count and, therefore, cannot be taken as a general
fact. Furthermore, this is only an approximation for spoken languages and does not take into
account non-spoken language, such as American Sign Language. However, it is generally
believed by linguists the world over that there are currently more than 5,000 different spoken
languages currently in existence (Woodbury, 2012). Determining how many of these
languages are endangered is a further complication, seeing as it is impossible to know the
specific number of languages spoken worldwide. However, “by some estimates, 80% of the
world’s languages may vanish within the next century” (Woodbury, 2012), which would
translate as a possibility of 4,000 languages that are currently spoken, but would no longer be
spoken in the world in the next hundred years. It is understood that most of the languages that
would be lost are languages which have a smaller group of speakers, such as indigenous
languages found in the Americas, or tribal languages found in Africa.
With that, it is important to underline that defining a language as being “born” or
“dead” can be impractical. Mufwene explains,
languages as communal phenomena cannot be issued birth or death certificates. The
relevant processes are protracted, spanning several generations…Likewise, language
death is a protracted change of state. Used to describe community-level loss of
competence in a language, it denotes a process that does not affect all speakers at the
same time nor to the same extent (2004, p. 204).
Although this explains that it is not necessarily accurate to label a language as being “dead”,
or even to claim that a language had a “birth”, it is generally accepted that some languages
throughout history have indeed died, in that they are no longer in use, as in spoken or written,
today among any community of people. Defining which languages would truly be classified
as dead is a complicated subject matter, which would be a wholly other matter for another
paper to delve into.

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Discussion
Globalization’s Impact on Language
Globalization in general is not a new concept nor a new occurrence. Its affect has
been felt in most or all aspects of human life, from economics to affairs of the state.
Language is no exception concerning the impact of globalization. Globalization’s influence
on language can be very obviously seen when traveling around the world. In Germany, I
surfe im Internet on my Computer or Laptop, while in Japan I might come across a プードル
(“puudoru” from German Pudel) , ダックスフント (“dakkusufunto” from German
Dachshund ), orドーベルマン (“dooberuman” from German Dobermann). Whether it’s
English loan words in German, or German loan words in Japanese, globalization has had a
significant impact on the language people use worldwide and continues its impression today
in every corner of the globe.
However, globalization not only adds to languages, as seen in the previous examples
with loan words, but it can also take away or even destroy languages, especially lesser known
languages. “Terminology such as ‘language spread’ and ‘language death’ contribute to a
mythology attributable to agent-less natural forces. The historical record tells a different
story” (Philipson, 2010, p. 239). In Errington’s article, this idea is further clarified and the
agent Philipson refers to in the previous quote is named by Errington, as he states
“(e)ndangerment, loss, death, and related terms are increasingly familiar in descriptions of
sociolinguistic change now occurring at an unprecedented scale because of forces of
globalization” (2003, p. 723). So there can be a consensus among some scholars that the
impact of globalization on language is widespread and also that its influence can be
incredibly damaging.
An additional reason that language death caused by globalization is an immense
problem is that “the properties of language take on importance and value in the aggregate, so
that what is threatened by the death of any one language is the cumulative diversity of the
whole” (Errington, 2003, p. 726). Therefore, language death is not contained solely to the
language that is no longer in existence. Even if several other languages survive the death of
one language, the death of one language negatively impacts the richness of culture of the
world in which we all live. As not all words can be translated into all languages, it is inherent
to keep this variety of language. Due to this, “states…have a duty to ensure the rights of

7. GLOBALIZATION OF LANGUAGE 7
speakers of ‘smaller’ languages, for instance indigenous languages” (Phillipson, 2010, p.
239). This is based on the fact that all people are affected by language death.
With regard to the connection between globalization and language death, Errington
later goes on in his article to emphasize that “globalization is casting a shadow over the
science of language that is hard even for the most theoretical and lab-oriented practitioners of
this science to ignore” (2003, p. 723). Globalization’s impact on language is not imaginary,
and it’s not viewed positively on the whole. Whether it promotes the use of non-native words
within a language, or completely undermines the use of a native tongue, globalization is
changing and limiting the spoken word.
Language, Culture, and Politics
Language and culture are areas that easily connect and correlate with each other. The
whole premise of organizations such as the Académie Française, the Real Academia
Española, and the Icelandic Language Committee is to protect language because language, in
a sense, defines culture and is a fundamental aspect of creating individual and unique
cultures. In Iceland’s national travel guide, when discussing the Icelandic language, it is
explained that,
In the late eighteenth century, language purism started to gain noticeable ground in
Iceland and since the early nineteenth century, language purism has been the
linguistic policy in the country. Instead of adopting foreign words for new concepts,
new words (neologisms) are coined or old words revived and given a new meaning
(Icelandic Language, 2014).
The importance of a country’s own individual, national language is promoted through this
idea of language purism. It is additionally important for these language societies when
creating new words within their own languages to recognize “el buen uso y la unidad de una
lengua en permanente evolución y expansión"1 (Historia). Since language is ever-changing it
can be a massive challenge to safeguard one’s national language from the influx of other
tongues, and it is thus challenging to preserve one’s national heritage and culture in this
modern age of globalization, when access to other languages, especially English, is so easy
and at times these other languages may seem better to use when wanting to express a new
idea or invention.
1 Trans.: The good use and unity of a languagethat is permanently evolvingand expanding.

8. GLOBALIZATION OF LANGUAGE 8
Connecting language with politics can be a more arduous task, but the two are no less
relevant than language and culture. “Thirty years ago, one would have had a much harder
time finding anyone prepared to take seriously the idea that language might be political in its
very essence. Yet it is an idea with a venerable heritage” (Joseph, 2006, p. 1). Over time, it
has become accepted that politics are just as vital to language as is culture, and vice versa.
One aspect in which language is political is summarized with the following passage from
Joseph’s book on the topic,
…the choice of which language to use in a particular circumstance is a political
matter, in two senses. First, because it simultaneously depends upon and determines
the relationship among the speakers, and secondly, because sanctions of some sort are
likely to follow from a wrong choice (2006, p. 10).
This explanation is more based on the non-state idea of the term politics, or the broader sense
of the word, but is nevertheless important. When language choice by a politician is incorrect,
this can without a doubt have political implications in the more narrow sense. Additionally,
Joseph connects language, politics, and power in asserting “(t)here is a further linguistic-
political dimension in how those in power, or desiring power, deploy language in order to
achieve their aims” (Joseph, 2006, p. 4). The use of power occurs in all forms of
relationships, whether they be personal relationships or political relationships, as in the
relationship between two states. From this view, a country with a dominant language, such as
the United States, would appear to be more powerful. This touches on why language is so
politically important for countries such as France and Spain, which are savagely trying to
defend their languages.
The connection between language and politics can also be seen in government and
non-governmental organizations. For example, the World Bank chose to give aid to some
African countries, but it made certain language conditions for the reception of that aid, which
“reflects European languages are suited to economies and minds, the falsity of which many
African scholars have documented” (Phillipson, 2010, p. 240). This promotion of European
languages over Indigenous languages is an obvious political ploy, which can be detrimental
to Indigenous languages, culture, and power. The reason that European languages are given
favor can be reflected in the idea that globalization is a new form of imperialism, and
European nations are the leaders of this globalist, or imperialist, movement. Thus, the global
language could also be called a power language.

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Positives and Negatives of Language Globalization
There are two sides to every issue, and language globalization is no exception as it
can be viewed in both a positive light and a negative one. One positive aspect of language
globalization is that it creates a community language with which everyone can communicate
and be understood. The importance of having a lingua franca can be deduced from this quote
found in the El País article: “The plethora of EU languages is actually an obstacle to the
realisation [sic] of the European Higher Education Area, which is supposed to promote
student mobility” (Pérez de Pablos, 2009). With the lack of a common language across the
European community, it is more difficult for students to study in countries outside of their
home country if they do not speak the language of the target country in which they wish to
study. Furthermore, this same idea can be applied to non-students, in the sense that travel
outside of one’s home country may lead to difficulties and complications when trying to
communicate with the local population that one will encounter. A personal anecdote that
illustrates possible complications:
In 2010, I was traveling throughout Europe on my own for one month. Since I could
speak English, Spanish, and German, I didn’t feel that I would encounter too many
complications. However, while I was on a train in France, I got stuck in the restroom.
At that time, I only knew how to say bonjour and merci, which were of little use in
that situation. Fortunately, the ticket inspector came by as I was banging on the toilet
door and opened the door for me. He was asking me several things in French that I
couldn’t understand at all, and finally he switched to English, “Do you understand?”
To which I replied with an apologetic, “No.”
In the above situation, a shared language would have reduced the embarrassment felt. At the
same time, in speaking English, the ticket inspector showed the way in which a lingua franca
can help in a challenging, cross-cultural situation.
Although a monolingual culture may be desirable for student mobility and general
travel scenarios, it’s not necessarily in the best interest of all countries involved to have this
shared language across the board. “The increasing use of English in higher education across
Europe could cost the UK a vital competitive advantage” (Pérez de Pablos, 2009). Even
though some may argue for the benefits of a lingua franca, the previous quote makes clear the
negative economic implications that can be a result of this common language.

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Another clearly detrimental aspect of having a worldwide shared tongue is that it
occurs at the cost of other lesser-known languages. “Many languages are falling out of use
and being replaced by others that are more widely used in the region or nation, such as
English in the U.S. or Spanish in Mexico” (Woodbury, 2012). This is a tragic loss, as much
of this language loss is also connected to the loss of culture. Furthermore, as previously
stated, the loss of one language has a negative impact on all languages. Overall, it would
seem there are more negative outcomes when thinking of language globalization than there
are positive ones, contributing to the previously stated hypothesis that language globalization
is damaging.
Resistance to Language Globalization
Resistance is something that can be viewed as a vital part of the human experience.
Whether it’s a revolution for independence, or anti-government protests, some groups of
people will resist the dominant culture and overall flow of society. Concerning globalization
in general, since the mid-1990’s there has been a “generalized discontent with the
consequences of neoliberal globalization” (Saguier, 2012, p. 1). Conflict against the status
quo of a global language is a sign of discontent, even though the movement opposed to
“Globish” pre-dates the modern turn against globalization.
A country leading the opposition against the globalization of language and fighting to
protect its language is France. This may seem odd, as it is mostly indigenous languages that
are endangered, but France holds tightly to the preservation of its language. An explanation
for why this is can be found in the following quote: “France’s identity has long been bound
up with its language…policed by the state… (but) the flipside of a state-sponsored language
has been a deep-rooted anxiety over linguistic decay and decline” (Gallix, 2013). The
connection between language and the conflict to preserve that language can be seen in the
history of the Académie Française,
Si l’ « une des plus glorieuses marques de la félicité d’un État était que les sciences et
les arts y fleurissent et que les lettres y fussent en honneur aussi bien que les armes »,
ce serait le rôle de l’Académie de donner à la langue française les moyens d’y
parvenir (L’histoire, 2014)2.
2 Trans.: If "one of the most glorious brands of blissof a State was that scienceand the arts flourish and the
letters were there in honor as well as weapons," it would be the roleof the Academy to give the French
languagemeans to achieveit.

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This talk of letters or words being used as both a means of promotion and a method of
warfare highlights the idea of language being a method of resistance, and what greater
resistance to language globalization than ensuring the continued protection and production of
one’s native language when new inventions from foreign languages come into play.
France is not the only country fighting to preserve its language, as is seen by Spain’s
Real Acadamia Española and Iceland’s Icelandic Language Committee. The fight against
language globalization may not be widespread, or even well-known throughout the world, but
it does exist. The main purpose of this resistance is to protect an individual nation’s language,
but the result also protects the culture and defends the politics of that nation.
Conclusion
The world in which we live seems to be shrinking as the impact of globalization
increases on various areas of life. While we once witnessed a multitude of unique languages
and cultures across the world, globalization is creating a world comparable to the days before
the Biblical Tower of Babel. While some may consider a unified language to be positive,
history and data has acknowledged otherwise.
Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that
goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Globalization is
preventing people from being able to connect on a more emotional level, due to the fact that it
has led to the death of several languages, and pushed many more into endangerment. Death
of a language is additionally connected to the death of the vast cultural history within a
community. Death of a language also means power is lost within a group of people, power
which is equated with politics that gives people a voice on the global stage.
Language globalization could eventually lead to a fewer variety of words that can be
used to express one’s feelings, emotions, thoughts, beliefs, or opinions. On a national level, it
would mean the destruction of culture and heritage, and the loss of political power. In the
end, the bad outweighs the good when it comes to the globalization of language, and it is
indeed detrimental to native languages the world over.

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References
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Gallix, A. (2013, May 23). The French protect their language like the British protect their
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Historia. (2014). Real Academia Española. Retrieved from: http://www.rae.es/la
institucion/historia
Icelandic Language. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from:
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Joseph, John E. (2006). Language and Politics. Edinburgh: GBR: Edinburgh University
Press.
L’histoire. (2014). L’Académie française. Retrieved from http://www.xn--acadmie-franaise
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