The Future of the English Language

Words, phrases and idioms reflect the world around us. If you don't believe us, check out "word of mouth" on radio 4: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/wordofmouth.shtml. When bundled together into languages, all those words start to reflect how power is distributed in the world.

Take the English Language. There used to be a very direct relationship between the English language and the imprint of Britain's influence around the world -- the global era however, has made this relationship less clear. English is no longer a natural source of natural competitive advantage for the UK. As a Brit you can forget your phrase book when you go and holiday and it's probably no big deal -- but if you think that's going to help you in the workplace, forget it.

More English speakers, means more competition for your job and it means your desk can be shifted to another country when market forces demand it.

The English Language now has many shareholders, and The English are just one of them. In Britain, from a policy perspective, it's time to rethink how we teach English, our whole attitude to languages, to reflect our changing relationship to the rest of the world.

For more see this Demos publication http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/asyoulikeitpamphlet

In response to this work, two graduates from the Royal College of Art, Susan Ibreck and Celia Willis have produced this short film.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• englishlanguage
• thinktanks
• demos
• policy

[alejandro31192]

Let's learn Esperanto, a non-national language without irregularities. No privileges for anyone!

Ni lernu Esperanton, sennacia lingvo tute regula. Privilegioj por neniu!

[schpoogie]

time to start learning mandarin!

[UphyXx]

@alejandro31192 We don't need to learn Esperanto, language is become increasingly homogenised all the time. A universal language will come in its own time as communication and education is improved

[MrLoganloganlogan]

"capitalism is giving way to globalisation" you do know that capitalism and globalisation don't counter each other out in any way?

I think the British/Americans don't learn a second language because there really isn't a need to and there is a need to learn a second in places like France, Germany, India and china, those places tend to learn English as there second language because it connect them to most and possibly all, of the developed world

[aleksoesper]

@cheerleader200fly well, for many others (i've just ask to some of them), Esperanto sounds more like Italian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Russian... and the grammar is like Chinese and English, but easier.

What's not fair is English. It only sounds English!

It's a language of the 7% of the world population. And you want the 93% to spend lot of money/time to try learning it?

Esperanto is easier and you pronounce as you write, there's no phrasal verbs and it's very well built, give it a try! =)

[cheerleader200fly]

@alejandro31192 i don't like Esperanto, it looks like Spanish, this language is friendly for Spanish, it is not fair.

[onthestcroix]

@sandrodream1 bite me.

[joji64theninja]

@Wallydaft England's official language is English...

[jester1cp]

Why do you keep showing the Native american i.e Indian?I know you are trying to prove a point but this seem a little bit ignorant.

[themustardbaron]

@hanmaenen Thanks for the feedback. I find it ridiculous that Schipol Airport has signs only in English. If I was in the Netherlands, I would want to feel like I was in the Netherlands, not some generic airport somewhere in the world. This kind of action will not only impede the growth of the Dutch language, but will accelerate the laziness of English speakers. I hope that the Dutch authorities take note of your complaint.