LANGUAGE, IDEOLOGY AND ENGLISH WITHIN A GLOBALIZED CONTEXT

Philip seARGEANT

World englishes,Vol. 27, no.2,pp. 217-232, 2008.LANGUAGE, IDEOLOGY AND ENGLISH WITHIN A GLOBALIZED CONTEXTINTRODUCTIONSeargeant analyses the role played by ideology in the research and regulation of English within a globalized context (EGC).Since the 90s many research have been carried out on a political perspective (Phillipson (1992); Pennycook (1994); Quirk (1990); Kachru (1991).This led to a biforcation of EGC : Local vs. Universal.AIM: The paper is aimed at considering EGC in both an ideological and linguistic point of view.

INTRODUCTIONRESEARCH QUESTIONS: Is politics the only mean by which all issues concernig English within the world today should be approached? Risk of relativism What part linguistics as a science should play?PRELIMINARY KNOWLEDGE IDEOLOGY

TRIPARTITE SYSTEM OF LINGUISTICS

EGC = English within a globalized context It describes the language as it exists in such contexts rather than as it should normatively be used in them.InternalExternalCodeContextRationaleTHE CULTURAL NATURE OF NATURAL LANGUAGES WHY languages are so ideologically inflected? History Language differences (bilinguism)In the past, researchers only focused on the communicative function of language Orientation towards unity (Bakhtin, 1981) In the XX century, linguists such as Chomsky and Saussure did not consider language differences focusing mainly on the fact tha language is aimed at communication. Paradox of Bilinguism

Natural languages = Cultural languages (importance of context)THE CULTURAL NATURE OF NATURAL LANGUAGESLanguage differences started being studied

Process: Differentiation Categorization assigning functions Regulation

the function of EGC is INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONTHE CULTURAL NATURE OF NATURAL LANGUAGESACRONYMS as EMT, ESL, EFL,EIL, ELF are sociolinguistic categories coined to express the different roles played by the language. These categories constitute the framework of the language. once they are under regulation, there is a distinction to be made between the official language and the practise. The process of differentiation + categorization+ regulation lead to an IDEOLOGICAL JUDGEMENTA FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSISLanguage ideology (LI) + Linguistic system (LS) = the Framework for language practice.Code= LSContext=LI1Rationale=LI2THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE ULMonocentric view of English

This models promotes the existence of a universal language

Polycentric model Jenkins (2006)This model promotes the existence of localized languages or language varieties,According to the context

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGEApproaches to the study of language: Explanatory DescriptiveExplanatory= It considers language as the system oriented towards the execution of a function.This approach promotes the restoration of a unique language.According to Eco (1994), the Universal language is often synonymous with the perfect language. Language, instead of creating barriers, or upholding systems of membership and exclusion, should promote cooperation and understanding between peoples from different walks of life. Modiano (1999: 27). THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGEThe author claims tha the universalist approach is misleading because it does not consider language diversity.Universal communication is possible in a way because if ideology determines the function , then in order to change the function it is necessary to change the ideology.But: what shape can an ideology of intercultural communicatio take that is compatible with the constraints of the nature of language itself?It is important to consider social, psychological and political factors ( ex. Babel Myth)

THE LOCAL LANGUAGEDescriptive approach= it focuses on the functions rather than on the form, it does not consider different accents, dialects and pragmatic conventions as a deviation from the norm but as normal linguistic behaviour. Standardazing tendence determines hierarchies and judgements. Ideology

THE LOCAL LANGUAGE Ideology creates variety (function)Ex. Linguistic nationalism ( Australian English)+ Ownership of the language metaphor of language as a possession the English language is nobodys special property (). Plimpton (1988: 279)+ poststructuralist idea: language owns usCONCLUSIONRESEARCH QUESTIONS: Is politics the only mean by which all issues concernig English within the world today should be approached? YES, politics influences language. Bolton s 3 approaches: - Linguistic approach - Linguistic and sociopolitical approach - Sociopolitical and political approach

CONCLUSION What part linguistics as a science should play?

NO, because ideology is analysed together with linguistics.