 Welcome back to NPTEL, the National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning. We are in a series of lectures under the larger rubric of English language and literature. We are as you know in module 1 of 5 modules that are there in our course and we have already dealt with a few lectures on various you know talked about the scope of English studies for instance and today's lecture is entitled international English and before you know as always before we move on to what you want to talk about that is international English. Let us look at what we did in our last lecture. Now, by way of recap we look at the idea of alchemy if you remember the last lecture was on the alchemy of English and we understand alchemy as transmutation. It was an attempt as you know by earlier you know people who sort of dabbled with if I may use the word in alchemy with a view with a goal which never came about that was of turning base metals to gold. Alchemy also means by extension wisdom it is also called the search for the philosopher's stone that is ultimate wisdom and the secret to longevity and he found that Braj Kachru in his work entitled alchemy the alchemy of English he likens English to alchemy at least as English has alchemic alchemic properties of being able to change things in a good way. So, there are ways in which English is talked about you know the spread of English is talked about in a derogatory sense as overshadowing vernacular languages, but Kachru we saw pointed to the transformative if you will qualities of English particularly with you know in relation to you know issues of caste for instance. So, we do not have words differentiating you know people on the basis of social or class structures whereas, in Indian languages these markers this verbal markers of caste may be very very pronounced. So, we also found that English is manipulable and it is manipulated also the other side of the picture it is manipulated as a medium of power it is a medium of control authority and you know suppose cohesion of society. Now, again quickly reading from what we saw last time the English language has acquired important roles both internationally and internationally these roles are in the hands of a small section of the total population, but this part oppresses the lot if this part is wielded now this is important this is the caveat we get from, but from Braj Kachru in his lecture. So, it may be that only a few you know compared to the entire population say in India that English is a tool that is in the hands of a very few or a very small percentage of the population compared to the rest of India. And he gives us this warning that if it is not if this tool is not used with sense of sensitivity with responsibility and understanding then as I said it will become not something that is alchemic or you know has great transformative positive transformative power, but is something that becomes a tool of oppression. Then it says the alchemy of English then does not only provide social status it also gives access to attitudinally and materially desirable material desirable domains of power and knowledge because this is what we found in the last lecture. It provides a powerful linguistic tool for manipulation and control in addition this alchemy of English has left a deep mark on the languages and literature of the non-western world. English has thus caused transmutation of languages equipping them in the process of new societal scientific and technological demands. So, this is really the endless phase or the double phase of English and its transmutative powers that we saw in our last lecture. Then there was you know we looked at what attitudinality and neutral the attitudinal neutrality and power meant for instance we found that in code when you use code mixing when we use two languages bilingual code mixing in our conversation it helps to neutralize identities in native language that are there in native languages and dialects. And we also found that this neutralization can be used really as a linguistic strategy. This part of alchemy of English is related to from here we move on to international English. You remember that he has professor Kratchou made this very why not it is a very famous is a standard way of looking at you know the spread of English and the use of English in different parts of the world. It is not that it is that it has not been contested by other scholars and linguists. However, at this elementary level it is however at this elementary level this is what we can stay with. So, he says that there is an inner circle of English of the English speaking population and this circle is norm providing it provides the norm normative ways in which English has to be spoken in which English has to be was have to be pronounced in which the grammar has to be to be used. And within this inner circle is obviously the United Kingdom from where we had the language Ireland the United States New Zealand South Africa and Canada these form the core. So, this is as you saw the first circle or the inner core circle of English using nations. Then he talks about the outer circle which is called not normative, but norm developing. These are countries like India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Now he says these are countries where English has had a historical importance. For example, these are the erstwhile colonies of the British Empire. So, here we find that these countries are ones that develop the norm that have been set up may not be that today, but in the times in colonial times these were the countries where the norms were also being developed. The outermost ring we have the expanding circle which is norm dependent. So, they are China for instance, Russia, Egypt, Japan and Europe. So, this forms the forms the expanding circle and as more and more countries begin to have a considerable number of speakers in the English language this expanding circle will accommodate those countries. Then the other important markers of the power of English as Kachu has said and for which also leads us to the question of international English is its sheer demographic distribution over the world. It is used in important world for its native and non-native users across different cultures and of course, it is considerably rich literary tradition that many are you know many are acquainted with. Consider the number of English language and literature departments that are there in countries other sorry other than England and you will be able to get a get a grasp of how the rich literary tradition of England is something that is studied in so many different countries. So, when we come to international English we can look at it as an as somebody said an attempt and establishing an international standard this is very important. It is an attempt at establishing an international excuse me standard for the use of the English language. One of the most important reasons is that many speakers of the language today are from countries this is important are from countries and regions where English is not the native language. This is something which we discuss also in our introductory lecture and yet English is increasingly becoming the lingua franca or the world language. The lingua franca or the common means of communication of the world especially in which categories in business communication internet communication and academics. Now, this itself is enough for us to enough for those rally for international English to make their point that English is used in you know in world business for a sorry in academics consider the very many conferences to which there are people from all over the world presenting their findings their papers. So, there has to be a certain standard standardized form of English which they want to call international English also for internet communication. So, this has made it almost an imperative and there has been you know there has been a number of attempts at formulating international and international standard for the use of the English language. Now, let us look at the definition this definition I have taken from the handbook of world Englishes edited by Braj Kachru in which Robert D. King describes English language in the following way. Now, he says that this because this language is subtle economic subtle instrument of communication. So, communication of you know to do with commerce you know to do with literature and that has become de facto and in many institution institutions in context the de jure language or the lingua franca of the world. So, there are many scholars in fact, who who have reiterated the importance of English from its point of view of usage and it is from you know as an it is used in economics in you know in economy sorry economic transactions in use is the saw in the internet as an instrument of communication all over the world and it is not that this is a de facto you know de facto instrument in many countries it has become de jure or de jure which means that it is actually by law that this language is to be used. Therefore, English as an international language has an acronym and the acronym is EIL and as we know an international standard is sought to be set as a global means of communication. This essentially is what differentiates international English from world Englishes. In world Englishes you will find that there is a celebration of the varieties of English. There is an insistence so to speak there is a recognition of you know there is a recognition of the resistance to a standardized use of English. There are questions of culture, there are questions of ideology inherent in world world Englishes. However, by contrast we find the others more for you know pragmatic you know sort of what should I say transactory if I may use the word transactory concerns that the need for in a standard international English is sought. Now, having said that the picture is not really a happy one it is not that we do really you understand have do really have an international English as yet, but there have been a number of attempts that have been there in that have been made in trying to make you know an international variant of English. So, what are the other ways in which scholars have you know in which scholars have tried to name this endeavor right there is not that is known only as international English. We also have a term ELF that is English as a lingua franca another term for it going by the commonality issue is common English then continental English basic English and global English. So, these are the various terminologies that is given to international English and if you go by these terms you also understand where the particular thrust lies for instance basic English. In many institutions in India you will find that there is a course on basic English. So, to understand you know what is the course going to do that course is not going to talk about the variations of English is going to give you as far as possible the normative way in which you have to learn English. For instance in IITs in engineering colleges you often find such a course. This is to enable you know the people who are going to be engineers and scientists to be able to use the language in such a way that they can make themselves intelligible to a world audience do you understand. So, these are some of the various terms English ELF English as a lingua franca common English basic English global English continental English these are the terms with their specific. So, to speak a specific agendas in trying to carve out carve out a standard sort of English. Now, I will what I will do in the rest of the essay is see by now you know is very simple you know that English international English is an attempt made by several scholars and linguists to devise a particular kind of English. Now, I will like to bring to you what some scholars have said in the rest of the essay about international English and the very nuances and problematics of international English. Now, let us look at an essay I think was published in the journal English today if I am not mistaken by Elizabeth Erling and the title of the essay is the many names of English. Let us read what she says EIL or English as an international language has been used in a range of ways. Now, she points to a well-known linguist named Wiedersen. Wiedersen for example, employs it to describe the specific use of English for international, professional and academic purposes which is mostly carried out in the written language. Let us look at this specific use of English for international, professional and academic purposes which is mostly carried out in the written language. He argues that English as an international language should be treated as a register of English that is what register is a particular repertoire of words. So, it should be considered a register of English as most of the people learning it only need access to certain, this certain occupational or functional domain. This is something that I had mentioned ago the functionalist approach of the pragmatic approach of international English. So, this is only so that they can have access to you know on occupational fronts, on functional fronts and do not use it as a community or national language. So, it also implies that well you may speak your English, your world English, your variant of world English, but at the same time as Wiedersen says you need to be competent as a person who will be talking at an international level, you need to be competent at a certain standardized way of speaking English. However, basic and however geared towards occupational interests and goals, it is not that there is obviously that there is no politics involved here, but what Wiedersen says is that a certain level of competence is necessary for instance if you are an engineer or even academician or a policy maker. So, that you can make yourself intelligible, this is the standard way of looking at international English. Then Erling points out that Wiedersen further argues that English as an international language is a composite lingua franca which is this is important free of any specific elegance to any primary variety of the English of English sorry of the language. So, it need not be the Anglo-American variety. So, it may be quite a discreet you know collection of norms which have been devised for people in you know in various occupations to be able to present themselves in the language in an international set up. Now, one of the most well known scholars if I may point to her in this domain is Barbara Seidhofer. So, Barbara Seidhofer has made several contributions to this issue of you know international English and I point to her work a concept of international English and related issues. This is particular to do with the European context, but let us look at what she has to say about the issues of international English. Obviously, the various additions to English in all of the above terms serve to indicate that is above terms are the different terms that we saw a while ago. Obviously, the various additions to English in all of the above terms serve to indicate that something is in operation here that requires what she says the signaling of a difference. The signaling of a difference from the default conception of a language namely the code and conventions employed by its native speakers. This is what we discussed a while ago. These terms as the different terms used for international English variously emphasize what are perceived as relative aspects of the use of English in different contexts for different purposes, but what they this is important what they have in common is that they signal some sort of recognition. This is the word some sort of recognition that in the use of English as an international language conditions hold which are different from situations when a language is clearly associated with its native speakers and its place of origin. This is a very important point here that all these different terminologies may be there like common English for instance of basic English, but there is she says there is all what these have in common is there is an you know an acceptance of the fact or a recognition of the fact and says uses of a recognition here that in the use of in the specific use of English as an international language. There are certain conditions which are different as she says which are different from the situations when a language is clearly associated with the native speakers and its place of origin. Whether it is spoken by those native speakers or by people who have learnt it as a foreign language different attitudes and expectations as she said should prevail and different different norms should apply. So, this is again both a recognition of the fact that there is a commonality being sought, but at the same time is also implied here that there are differences, there are different norms and expectations that always will be there. So, these are some of the issues in international English. The slide here shows again which we mentioned a while ago that while world English focuses on the variety insists on the variety of English and uses the word English is international English is an attempt at what we call a non localized English and attempt at bringing you know a kind of English which will be adopted by everyone particularly as we saw a while ago in matters of wall fora of you know of occupational occupational issues. So, when it comes to international English from pedagogical point of view. So, that is another aspect that has been dealt with by many which is a teaching of international English. So, the teaching of international English may be in general or in a broad way described as the linguistic tools that we will build or we are people have sought to build for as we as we found international or even intercultural communication. So, what kinds of linguistic language tools as far as English is concerned are you going to build for international communication. Now, again side hofer says in the same work English is used by plurilingual and monolingual people alike, but obviously, due to the numerical predominance of non native speakers the plurilingual outnumber the monolinguals and she finds that it is the non native speakers of English she points to the future you know it says it is a non native speakers of English who will be the main agents in the ways English is used is maintained and changes and who will shape the ideologies and beliefs associated with it. So, it is not you know it is not that we should be alarm that there is again you know hegemonic sort of you know hegemonic sort of orientation in trying to build international English she says on the other hand it points to as she mentions here the plurilingual and monolingual people she says that it is in future the non natives who are going to devise this sort of an international English and will decide we will decide the ideologies and beliefs that are associated with that kind of language sorry that kind of English. So, it is left to us to look at the brighter side of it as not really another you know another colonialist or a new colonialist imposition of the English language it is the non native speaker who is going to perhaps contribute more to devising that language. Now, let us look at S meke again we are talking about the teaching of English as an international national language and even in the case of Barbara Seidhofer as he found a while ago even in the teaching of English as an international language the non native the non native plurilingual teacher is also going to be an important component in devising such a language. So, S meke says international English is used by native speakers of English and bilingual users of English for cross cultural communication. International English can be used she mentions here both in a local sense between speakers of diverse cultures and languages within one community and in a global sense between speakers from different countries. Now, here we find another angle to it all this while we have been saying that international English is going is you know is an attempt to formulate device and English which is going to be used in international fora for international global communication. But meke says here that need not be the case right here that international or basic or common English will also be used as a sense here can be used also in a local sense between speakers of diverse cultures and languages within a country take a country like India for instance with so many hundreds of languages and you know how English is spoken pronounced how it is written in different parts of the country. So, it is not that you know meke enlarges the concept of international English in saying that it is also English use intra not internationally, but intra nationally within a country where there are diverse cultures and languages. So, there also we have a basic English or an international English that will be the lingua franca of that particular country and English that is you know which has its own norms and which has its own repertoire of words and its own grammatical rules fine. Then we find another in another essay entitled English in the future by D. Griddell and let us let us read from here. The widespread use of English as a language of wider communication will continue to exert pressure towards and says this is the word uses global uniformity as well as give rise to anxieties about declining standards language change and the loss of dual linguistic diversity. This is something that is anyway going to be there and this is a point highlighted in this essay by Griddell that is on the one hand you know they are these contrary contradictory pulls on the one hand because of the increasing use of English as a language of wider communication across nations then always be this pressure as he says pressure for global uniformity in the use of the language. But attendant as it happens in many cases in cultural phenomena so also in language there are attendant opposite problems here as that they as it says it is going to be the rise in anxieties about declining standards language change and most importantly to celebrated in world English is the loss of dual linguistic diversity. So, it is almost like you know losing languages so here we have world English is and variety as the moment we come into a global uniformed or sorry standardized way of doing English it will almost so to speak may result in a sort of language that a variety of English in a country is a language. So, it result in as he says very aptly here the loss of dual linguistic diversity then he goes on to say, but as English shifts from foreign language to second language status for an increasing number of people we can also expect to see English develop a larger number of local varieties. This is the point that will take up further in the lecture on world Englishes. Now we know that that Gradle has raised his question of contradiction the contradictory pulls he further goes on to say these contradictory tensions arise because English has two main functions in the world this is very important. Why should we have these contradictory pulls the he says that English has two main functions in this world it provides a vehicular language or carrying language. It provides a vehicular language is a I think it is a phrase you found also in alchemy of you know in alchemy of English in the last lecture. So, it provides using the same term here a vehicular language for international communication and it forms a basic basis for interestingly also constructing cultural identities. These are the two it is the paradox of English it is you know supposed to be a lingua franca it is supposed to be a vehicle for you know for you know furthering of once socio economic status in many situations it is a tool for international communication, but also it forms the basis for constructing and expressing and manifesting our cultural identities. The former function requires what it requires mutual intelligibility this is what is mutual that you understand one another in a language and certain common standards obviously. Now the latter which is the construction of cultural identities the latter encourages the development of what of local forms and hybrid varieties and this is bound to happen when particularly in you know a very strongly in countries with a long colonial history you know of British domination right and also as it says even in the expanding circles it is not only in you know the outer circle of you know mentioned by Braj Kastru that is going to happen, but also in expanding circles in countries where you know that were not necessarily dominated at some point of in the historical time by a colonial you know past involving the British. So the latter encourages that is of cultural identity encourages the development of local forms and varieties of English and hybrid varieties of English for instance English you know may have come across the term English that is a mixture of Hindi and English. English is many think is going to take over English as we know it in India and since some parts of India that now you have papers and books written on English. So these are hybrid that is a hybrid variety that Gradol is talking about. So as English plays an ever more important role in the first of these functions it simultaneously look at the simultaneously finds itself acting as a language of identity for larger numbers of people around the world and really in the end there is no paradox here as you know cries for linguistic difference are articulated you know one side of the stories are articulated in the English language do you understand. So this is you cannot do without that language the language that brings uniformity and togetherness also helps you also helps you realize also helps you you know to insist on resistance and that is the part and also as we found in the last lecture this last lecture is really also related to this lecture the alchemy of English is that it is both with has its vehicular load and at the same time it also encourages hybrid forms. We look at you know the need for all this value we talk about that there is a need for you know for various purposes particularly in you know in academia involved for for instance now let us look at what Tom MacArthur is a well known name in the set you know in the field of international English and he has in the Oxford guide to world English he refers to these particular you know areas where this kind international English is sought to be devised. So he says though world English is varied certain varieties and registers are fairly tightly controlled ok. So you cannot make you cannot be creative there right you cannot you know use you they are very tightly constrained ok the way tightly constrained you know as far as the use of words is concerned without which they also could be dangerous situations right for instance airpose for instance look at this term refers to airports now you cannot get creative in a situation which is so tightly circumscribed by rules, by schedules, by terminologies ok. So there are certain you know niches or certain areas where you have to abide by a certain standardised English. So the world English is varied certain varieties and registers are fairly tightly controlled often through standardised this is important patterns of use. So international English is not just a matter only of world fora also in very you know in very pragmatic situations for instance says thus there is a marked uniformity there has to be a marked uniformity particularly say in the following areas airports in the broadcast media ok communication cannot be garbled here communication cannot be vague here in the broadcast media ok. In newspapers and periodicals and in computer use email and the internet way now so you see that in MacArthur here is again enlarging the scope of using uniform a uniform an English with uniformity or language with uniformity and some of the areas as we found are airports newspapers and periodicals in the broadcast media and in computer use email and the internet web ok which strengthens again you know this call for a uniform English. Now I will point to another essay which is by Marco Modiano another well known name international English in the global village. Now let us see what Modiano has to say about international English as English takes on the responsibilities of a lingua franca non native speakers are taking a more active role in the development of indigenous was a point that was made a while ago I think by one of the scholars that we you know we talked about ok. So, as English takes on the responsibilities of a common world language the non native speaker is also taking a more active role in the development of the language excuse me not only in respect to the manner in which they develop educational models for the teaching of local varieties, but this is important also in their understanding of how the language is used in cross cultural communication. And there is more communication in the world among peoples ok there has to be an alertness in how you device a language for inter cultural communication understandably when observing the language as it is used internationally they experience a great deal of multiplicity not only in pronunciation and vocabulary, but also in other respects this indicates as I see it that in the teaching of English as an international language in emphasis should be placed on a descriptive as opposed to a prescriptive model we find another now again another aspect or another side of the problem if you may call it been brought about by Modiano all this while we looked at scholars who you know have said that yes there is there should be an almost prescriptive you know international English because they cannot be you cannot have variations in say in international fora in as mentions here in the computer the digital world or in airports etcetera in public places how can you have you know different varieties of English. Modiano here in fact says that the moment the non native speaker takes on an important role in not just as he says in not just developing educational models for teaching English in their non native English speaking communities, but also in you know a putting in their part in the cross cultural communication of English. So, this is an important point I think that Modiano makes here is that you cannot as far as long as a non native speaker is involved and will be involved in the creation of the English language you can no longer go by the prescriptive model. So, you have to enlarge the scope you have to have a descriptive model perhaps even you cannot have like you have world English is today perhaps you cannot have international English you got to have international English is just my way of you know talking about it you perhaps need to have international English is you perhaps need to understand that this says that there are there will be there will be a descriptive model that is far more important than one you know one standard form of international English. So, like in world English is variety is also another important aspect that is coming in into the international English. International English has had you know several they have been several attempts at international at an international and international English. Why has it have those attempts failed perhaps as Modiano tells us that we have always you know gone by the prescriptive model or the linear model we have not looked at the fact that you have to have a descriptive model and perhaps at different kinds may sound paradoxical but at different kinds and varieties of international English. I will refer to again Nigel Ross and what he has to say in essay signs of international English. Now, Ross says that international English may simply refer to the varieties of English spoken in different parts of the world alternatively international English may designate a form of English which though not actually spoken by anyone provides what he calls to common core. First what does Ross say Ross says is international English in the same way as we saw ago. International English may refer to the varieties of English spoken in different parts of the world but also it may refer to a common core a common core to all the world varieties of English. More usually however the expression indicates the kind of English used by native and or non native speakers of English as a lingua franca for communicating basic information. Now, this is a point that is important here conveying not all kinds of information. Now, probably you can say that for those kinds of information you may have a descriptive model or you may have you know you may be acquainted with you know English that is colored so to speak has different hues given by non native speakers but he says that this common core going again going by the you know more traditionalist mode of looking at international English. This common core is to do what is to give basic information in a simple manner. So, a lingua franca for communicating basic information in a simple manner often in the business environment but also in international airports popular tourist resorts and so on. Though hardly so simple he agrees that this is not so simple as it may look like. However, international English can also describe the English used by groups of people again such as the scientific community at an international level. So, we find that why Nigel Ross tells us about you know about the fact that international English may refer to different varieties of English. He on as a scholar prefers to go by the traditionalist model of English for basic you know with a basic vocabulary and a basic to convey basic information and in a simple manner fine. So, let us look you know let us do a recap by way of discussion and for instance what are the questions that we may get in you know in a paper on international English on in the very elementary level. So, one of the questions you may get is how do you define international English. So, you may use quotations from any of the scholars given here as a basic definition you may also talk define international English as a kind of English which has as its goal which has as its goal you know the communication of English in an international set up. And then you may go on to say that this is used usually in world fora of business, academics, policy making etcetera right. Another question that you may get is how what is the difference between world English and international English. So, world English you say that world English and international English differs in a very important way which is that whereas, world English or world English is talks about and insist sometimes on the varieties of English spoken develop and spoken in different parts of the world including the non native you know English speaking world. International English is an attempt at devising a core English which can be used by people all over the world without their non native specificities in order for a smooth basic as I said basic information of transfer at the international or world level. Then you another question you may get is international English is known by several different names and what are those names you say that these are ELF or English as a lingua franca common English sorry continental English basic English global English etcetera. Then what finally, you may get the question like what are the you know what are the complexities or what are the what are the in hand difficulties in devising international English or for what are the subtleties in talking about international English. So, one of the things that you may say is the increasing role of the non native speaker the increasing role as somebody has pointed out here Barbara Seidhofer I think the increasing role of the non native speaker means two things at the same time means a that the non native speaker is going to take an important increasingly important part in developing English has or in developing international English, but at the same time the local varieties of English of the non native speaker may also be incorporated. So, we have this as I said the this Yanis face or two sided problem on the one hand you there is there is clearly a goal of developing a language which is a lingua franca and on the other hand you also have the English language almost paradoxically helping in the manifestation of cultural identities. Therefore, one scholar has said that you will always remain with this problem the earlier traditionalist way of looking at English language and attempts at at devising international English as an international language have followed the prescriptive models of the followed these you know the single you know core Anglo-American usage of words which will then form a repertoire a collection of words be used in various international situations, but we need to look more at a descriptive we have to adopt a more descriptive orientation not follow the prescriptive ones. So, giving again bringing full circle we began by talking about world Englishes as different than international English as being you know as relinquishing difference. So, it seems like now you have to follow a middle path sort of where international English is also probably going to as international English is not perhaps in the world English is manner, but where non native elements are also to be incorporated. So, where the model becomes a descriptive one and not a prescriptive one. I think at this point of time as we speak a lot is you know going to happen in the future as far as EIL is concerned and in looking at the literature here which is this essay was concerned more at several others I do not have to have time to talk about now. In this lecture we looked at various you know inputs by scholars of international English and what they had to say. So, we found that it may go the world English way world English is way of having several international English is or English is for international as used as an international language a one has to adopt oneself and learn the different international English is for different parts of the world. So, this is just one way where it may go or if you like it may also another important I think diagnosis here may be that like for instance having when there was this attempt at Esperanto or the world language for everyone which died down probably in English for as an international language may also see that there are that the attempts at formulating an English variant for international language may even sees if it goes the way of Esperanto or a world language it may indeed fail, but it is important for us in our you know in a greater understanding of the English language to take into consideration also this attempt that has been made and as I said we do not know where this I mean they go both ways they may completely give up relinquish the idea of an international English and get to learn varieties of English or depending on you know depending on the world economic scenario most important importantly the increasing use of the internet where also might which also might help again in the resurfacing of an attempt to make international English or English as an international language. So let me stop here and leave you with this really is open end one of the most open end that I think we do not have a conclusion here we do not have a solution here all that remains is for us to watch and see thank you.