Page 44 - SREENARAYANAGURU OPEN UNIVERSITY

Unit Significance of English as a

4 Global Language

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the unit, the learner will be able to:

f become aware of the importance of learning English language
f acquaint themselves with the variety of English used in India
f enhance their knowledge on the global role of English, English as lingua
franca, and as an international language
f gain insight into the inhibitions non-English speakers face while commu-
nicating in English
f channelise their interest into communicating in English

Prerequisites

An urban tea shop. The owner greets customers in Malayalam, Hindi, and English.
A group of foreign tourists struggle to order chai, gesturing wildly. Meanwhile, a local
businessman conducts a heated phone call, switching effortlessly between Malayalam
and English. In the corner, a student pores over an English textbook, mouthing words
silently.
This scene encapsulates the complex linguistic landscape of modern India, where
English plays a pivotal role as a bridge language. But how did a tongue from a small
European island become a global lingua franca?

The story begins with British colonialism, which spread English across vast swathes
of the globe. In India, English arrived as the language of governance and commerce,
gradually permeating education and literature. Post-independence, many former colo-
nies, including India, retained English as an official or link language, a decision born
of practical necessity in multilingual societies.

The rise of American and European economic and cultural power in the 20th cen-
tury, followed by globalisation and the digital revolution, further cemented English’s
global status. It became the dominant language of international business, diplomacy,
academia, and the internet.

38 SGOU - FYUGP - SLM - English for Communication