Ladina Ellis

Eng A – Writing in English

Supervisor: Ewa Jonsson

Ladina Ellis
Eng A – Writing and Speaking English
Supervisor: Ewa Jonsson

English as a Lingua Franca - helpful or harmful?

“The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this,
then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6 [NIV]). According to
the Bible, the Tower of Babel, as it is commonly known, was to be the tallest in the land.
Replacing the story of Noah and the Ark, in which God told Noah to build an ark to protect
his family from an impending flood, the tower represents the power that humanity has when
it comes together as one. However, God was not pleased with their motives, so he scattered
them and "confused" their language so they could no longer communicate - hence the name
"Babel", which means to jumble or confuse. Just as language was a powerful force in the time
of the Bible, so it is today. Language unites people, ideas and cultures, facilitating advances
in global technology, education, sociology, humanity and more. For centuries, English has
exerted a powerful global influence, and it has become known as “the first global lingua
franca” (Crystal 2003: 1). This essay will describe the dominance of the English language
and discuss whether it is more helpful than harmful. It will examine the advantages and
disadvantages of English as a global language.

The pervasive influence of the English language is indisputable—it is ubiquitous. In

connection with the rise of the British Empire, it was forced upon peoples, nations and their
markets. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as the British Empire reached its height,
there were stark increases in economic and technological development. This link between the
use of English and worldwide affluence is exemplified by its prevalence in film, television,
literature, news, social media, business and technology sectors. Similarly, English enables
individuals from different corners of the world, with distinct mother tongues, to
communicate, fostering relationships, love, and shared lives. This ability to communicate in a
 Ladina Ellis

Eng A – Writing in English

Supervisor: Ewa Jonsson

common language has significantly contributed to general economic and social well-being
(Crystal 2003: 10).

As mentioned, English as a lingua franca facilitates global communication, fostering

growth and development in business, science, technology, and diplomacy. Crystal further
emphasises that “the pressure to adopt a single lingua franca, to facilitate communication in
such contexts, is considerable, the alternative being expensive and impracticable multi-way
translation facilities” (Crystal, 2003: 12). Moreover, this global prevalence of English has
contributed to the effectiveness of organisations such as the United Nations, the World Health
Organisation, the European Union and the Commonwealth, which have brought about crucial
humanitarian and political changes around the world. (Crystal, 2003: 12).

In addition, the rate at which such organisations and groups have been able to
implement legislation and initiatives, can be directly attributed to the rise in the number of
educated professionals. In other words, English as a global language has opened the door for
more people to access good, quality education. Previously, only those who belonged to a
certain demographic could attend a 'top' university, but now anyone who speaks English has
the opportunity to learn about academic subjects in English locally or may travel to the other
side of the world to do so. Such educational opportunities, ensure a broader access to quality
education, thereby cultivating academic research, literature and online content (Crystal, 2003:
10).

Despite these advantages, English as a global language does have its pitfalls. For
instance, its widespread adoption contributes to a decline in linguistic diversity, potentially
endangering less widely spoken languages (Kushner, 2003: 20). Overemphasis on English
proficiency can create social and economic inequalities, limiting opportunities for those
without access to quality English education and development in professional careers (Gil,
2010: 53).

Similarly, the dominance of English could lead to the marginalisation of other

languages and cultures, creating cultural imperialism, where English-speaking cultures
influence and shape global norms, potentially eroding the distinctiveness of local cultures. As
 Ladina Ellis

Eng A – Writing in English

Supervisor: Ewa Jonsson

a result, this can undermine and challenge individual identity as there is a strong link between
language, who we are and where we belong (Crystal 2003: 22).

In conclusion, based on the arguments examined, English as a lingua franca is clearly

more helpful than harmful. However, a closer examination reveals damage to cultures,
mother tongues and identities that is cause for concern. The problem is not with the spread of
English, but the concept of a lingua franca. The solution, then, is to find a unique balance
between having a common language which enhances the standard of living for all, while still
encouraging individuality and aligning cultural values. The goal is therefore to be a unified,
diversified people through a lingua franca.

References

Bible Gateway. 2011. “Genesis 11:6 (NIV),” n.d. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?

search=genesis+11%3A6&version=NIV. Accessed 15 November 2023
Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Gil, Jeffrey. 2010. “The double danger of English as a global language.” English Today vol.
26, no. 1, pp. 51-56., DOI: 10.1017/S0266078409990575.
Kushner, Eva. 2003. “English as Global Language: Problems, Dangers, Opportunities.”
Diogenes, vol. 50, no. 2, pp. 17–23.
https://journals-sagepub-com.proxybib.miun.se/doi/pdf/10.1177/0392192103050002002