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In India, English evolved from a colonial import to a tool of empowerment and
opportunity. It serves as a bridge across the country’s linguistic diversity and is often
seen as a ticket to better education and employment prospects.
However, the dominance of English is not without controversy. Critics argue it mar-
ginalises local languages and perpetuates social inequalities. The emergence of “New
Englishes”, like Indian English, challenges traditional notions of linguistic correctness.

Keywords

Global language, Indian English, Communication

Discussion is known to many for various historical rea-

1.4.1 Significance of English as a sons. So, English is considered to be a global
language.
Global Language

Let us imagine a situation. You belong to What do you mean by a global language?
Kerala and study in a university in your home Why is English considered the global lan-
State. During your summer vacation, you wish guage? Global language is the language that
to visit Paris. You booked your tickets, boarded is widespread all across the globe geograph-
the flight to Paris and reached the city. What ically and makes communication possible for
will you do when you step out of the airport? people belonging to different language groups.
You have to find a place to stay. To reach there, It is best explained by the Latin phrase ‘lingua
you have to take a cab. How will you commu- franca’ which means a common language that
nicate to the cab driver whose mother tongue is can bridge the gap between two persons having
French? Once you reach a hotel where you can different language backgrounds. In today’s
stay, how will you communicate to the recep- world, English is learned and spoken across
tionist there, whose mother tongue is French countries by people of almost all linguistic
again? Now, imagine that you, the cab driver, communities. English is taught as the second
as well as the receptionist are comfortable language in schools in many countries across
speaking in English. Does that make any dif- the world. Moreover, English is easier to learn
ference in handling the situation given above? compared to other languages in the world. It
You will be able to talk to the cab driver as has just twenty six alphabets. Thus, English,
well as the receptionist in English. They will as a language, creates equity among people
also be able to understand you and respond to belonging to different language and cultural
you easily. What is the reason for the difference backgrounds, in terms of communication. The
here? When you have a common language in internet and the spread of technology have also
which you can talk to each other, communi- contributed to the spread of English.
cation becomes easier. Similar is the situation The status of English as a global language
when you have to travel to any part of the can be traced back to the history of colonisa-
world. English is the common language that tion. It is in the sixteenth century that Britain

SGOU - FYUGP - SLM - English for Communication 39