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Academic Paper |
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| Title: | Changing Constructs of Linguistic Imperialism: Religion, polity and economics |
| Author: | Alok Kumar Das |
| Email: | click here TO access email |
| Institution: | Singhania University |
| Linguistic Field: | Sociolinguistics |
| Subject Language: |
English
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| Abstract: | Language, more than perhaps any other single entity, has been a tool of identity assertion from time immemorial. Language is even thought to have "evolved to transcend evolution" and Marx found language "as old as consciousness". As the most exclusive possession of our species, language predates religion and polity. Being of such significance in our lives, it could not be kept away from the natural human tendencies of domination and discrimination. This paper examines how this instrument of power has traversed through history along the forces of religion, polity, and commerce of the day, resulting in linguistic imperialism. /L//L/Language changed with the changing rulers all through the course of our history. Imposition prevailed over selection. What has been of great influence, however, has been the religious affiliation of the rulers and the age-old association of language with religion. With time, social status and prestige got associated with language. Languages too became "elite" and "proletarian", as was the case with Sanskrit in India and Greek and Latin in Europe. Thus, languages with rich cultural and literary heritage and traditions, as against their any significant prevalence in present use, continue to influence our language attitude. This does not necessarily depict any linguistic dominance or imperialism as such, but it reflects on how the imperialistic tendencies of past still cast a shadow on our present language behaviour./L//L/Languages were always carried along. During colonization, language was used as the "strategy of discursive appropriation". In due course, it also became an instrument of liberation for the Colonized. The roots of present day spread and dominance of English were thus firmly implanted./L//L/Change is though inevitable. Politics is being replaced by economics, religion by knowledge. Language situation is overwhelmingly dominated by these two new forces of change. English is gaining over all other languages. Globalisation of economy has prompted this and English rather indisputably has emerged as the single language of international communication and, of course, of convenience. Linguistic imperialism today could thus be defined in terms of "interrelationships between English and global capitalism, 'McDonaldization' and other homogenising trends". /L//L/Dominance of English as a worldwide language is not "the outcome of a conspiracy" and it is the consequence of the accidental "confluence of a number of political and economic forces". Then, there is also a cost to maintain the functional viability of many languages. Linguistic imperialism now is thus a choice. /L//L/International world order and politics in the aftermath of the so called "War on Terror" has, however, created some new opportunities for otherwise an inherent factor of linguistic imperialism. This has created enviable situations of linguistic interference and of English influence in the native language behaviour. Political subjugation all through has been an indelible instrument of linguistic imperialism. /L//L/When primacy of civil liberty and universal freedom ensures us against any forced compulsion, choice is all ours. English has become a sort of centre of gravity around which the international varieties revolve resulting in language convergence. When we have learnt to respect plurality and make protection arrangements for the survival of minority and lesser known languages, we are facing a natural force just opposite in direction and effect. |
| Type: | Individual Paper |
| Status: | Completed |
| Venue: | International Conference on Language and Nationhood: Confronting New Realities, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 15 - 18 December 2003. |
| Publication Info: | In Kim, Lee Su, Thang Siew Ming & K. A. Bakar (eds.). 2005. Language and Nationhood: New Contexts, New Realities. Bangi (Malaysia): Pusat Pengajian Bahasa & Linguistik. pp. 13-22. |
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