Summary of the text Why do we need a global language?

In the subchapter Why do we need a global language, of the book English as a Global Language, linguist David Crystal explains why globalization has come to require that a single language be established worldwide. In an effort to outline the origins of such trend, the author highlights the major role translation has always had in human relations, since the need to communicate is intrinsic to mens nature. In communities where only a couple of different languages are spoken, bilingualism is usually a rather suitable solution to ensure communication flow and mutual understanding. However, in societies where many idioms interact, it is not possible to anticipate that every member will be polylingual, and thus the need for a common language or lngua franca arises. Communities that trade amongst themselves often interact using pidgin, a simplified artificial tongue which combines elements of their different languages. An idiom is usually accepted outside its own society because of the political, religious, or economical power exerted by a foreign nation it is the case of English. Said linguistic domain might extend to small or large areas, and last for a shorter or longer period, depending on political factors. Latin, for instance, was the common language throughout the whole of the Roman Empire. Nowadays, Swahili, Arabic, Hindi, English, French and Portuguese are often used as lnguas francas in secluded areas of the world. Crystal adds that since the 50s, there has been an increased acceptance of the need for a lngua franca that attends to the whole world the births of international bodies, such as the United Nations, NATO, UNICEF, UNESCO, the World Bank, and of multinational groups, such as the European Union, have established a regular flow of international communication and developed a necessity for multilingual translation, as many countries are to be represented in the meeting-places. The pressure to adopt a single interlanguage is significant, as not only would it facilitate communication, as it would save said bodies a considerable amount of money on multi-ways translation facilities, interpreters, translators, and clerks. The UN, for instance, works in five official languages for diplomatic reasons, it is not possible to choose only one idiom to represent an institution that should encompass all nations of the world, so a lngua franca would be a political solution that could save a lot of this organizations money. Obviously there is always some opposition to be expected, as no country wants to see its own language be made into a simplified international version of itself. For the time being, English has been used as a utilitarian measure a lngua franca in meetings around the globe, as general competence in said idiom becomes increasingly common. The author also mentions that academic and business communities are the fields that can most appreciate the need to adopt a common language as the use of some sort of lngua franca is part of their daily routine, being employed in lectures, board-rooms, or in contacts made on a global scale. Industries in a variety of fields have worked together to develop new technologies which make the world seem smaller by granting

people greater mobility physical and virtual. The Internet, for instance, allows for people to contact the other side of the planet without having to leave their homes. With such mobility, reachability, and accessibility being provided virtually, one can definitely think of the world as global village. And even if the Internet is not as widely spread yet, all nations have some degree of accessibility through telephone, radio, TV, or means of transport. The author explains how the world has changed, and why nowadays, more than ever, nations need to interact and communicate in a successful manner to carry through political affairs, and to manage international bodies or communities. Crystal also mentions how people want to travel more than before, as such mobility has made the planet feel much smaller. The linguist wraps up the text defending that the need for widespread bilingualism is greater than ever, and that the need for a global language is even greater, so much as to be regarded as urgent.