How often do you stop to think about the ways in which language hampers your expression? Probably not very often. We see, hear, and speak it constantly. We use it to communicate, to understand, and to think. It is the very basis of the complex society in which we live. And yet this immense importance often goes unnoticed. This is so because we take language for granted.
A Deeper Dive into the History:
Let’s get started with a broad example. In the past few centuries, English has become what many call a “global language.” Some even take a step further to predict that it’s on its way to becoming the “universal language,” implying that one day everyone across the world will use this very language to communicate. When it comes to visual media, it’s easy to see the traces of these trends. More and more companies, publications, and media outlets making the effort to have their content translated from various other languages into English, knowing that this will help them to reach a wider clientele.
To oversimplify, English has power: financial power, political power, and cultural power. Across the world, people who speak it often enjoy greater opportunities and options than those who do not. Companies who utilize it are able to expand internationally to an extent that might not otherwise be possible. Like any other existent language, English has its grey areas too. But the fact of the matter is that right now English is arguably the most powerful language in the world.
But why is the case so? Why English, and not some traditional language. Why do people wear their English fluency as some empirical gown? The answer also has to do with power. Language reflects culture, and in this case, the power of English reflects the power of certain countries. Until relatively recently, the United Kingdom held the reins to the world’s largest empire, with colonies scattered across the globe. Their superior industrial capacity meant that they were able to conquer new territories and impose their own cultural norms, laws, religion, and language. As a result, English found its way into nearly every corner of the earth, fortunately, or unfortunately.
Language in the Age of Globalization:
Today, of course, the days of the colonization are far behind and the UK no longer has the same glory. But one of its former colonies has probably overtaken its one-time ruler as the new world leader. The United States may not be considered an empire by traditional terms, but its enormous political, economic, and technological power has given it a similar level of influence.
It doesn’t take the physical conquest of territory or the intentional imposition of English to change linguistic habits. The forces of globalization, are indirectly influencing people around the world to learn English for their own personal gain.
In other words, the former power of the United Kingdom and the current power of the United States have endowed English with a power of its own, which then reinforces the global influence of the countries where it’s spoken. Whether or not it will one day become truly universal is up for debate, but there’s no denying that it’s powerful.
How LPU promotes the English Language:
The university has a unique way to promote English among its students and prepare them for the future course of their careers. Every course that the university offers includes an English language course which helps students improve upon in the area where most others in the competition lack. The university also provides for its students the activity engagement classes on weekend to improve soft skills, thus keeping its students a step ahead. Also, the university offers foreign language courses like those of German, French, and Spanish for those who have already excelled in English thus making the students, industry-ready, whether in India or otherwise. Proficiency in more than one languages opens doors to new career opportunities.
