Linguistic Imperialism - 5792 Words

The Linguistic imperialism of Robert Phillipson 1. Linguistic Imperialism 1.1 The spread of English The stated aim of Phillipson’s 1992 book Linguistic Imperialism was to set out how English became so dominant and why, and to examine the role ELT pedagogy had in contributing to it becoming â€Å"the international language par excellence in which the fate of most of the worlds millions is decided.† (Phillipson 1992 p.6) While many writers had tackled the question before no one had done so from the type of critical, socio-linguistic standpoint taken by Phillipson. Whereas for David Crystal, and other commentators, the rise of English is a largely neutral phenomenon, achieved â€Å"by repeatedly finding itself at the right place at the right†¦show more content†¦A practical example of linguicism given by Phillipson would be the allocation of resources or materials to one rather than another language or when a priority is given to one language for teacher training, curriculum development or school timetabling. According to Phillipson linguicism â€Å"refers exc lusively to ideologies and structures where language is the means for effecting or maintaining an unequal allocation of power and resources.† (ibid, p.55) Linguistic imperialism is a sub-form of linguicism, becoming manifest when â€Å"the dominance of English is asserted and maintained by the establishment and continuous reconstitution of structural and cultural inequalities between English and other languages.† (ibid p.47) Accordingly Phillipson sees the English language in and of itself as neutral but its exploitation by colonial and neo-colonial powers to exert and perpetuate their hegemony ultimately makes it culpable by association. Phillipson follows Galtung’sShow MoreRelatedEnglish And English Linguistic Imperialism977 Words   |  4 Pagesthere has been much discussion on the issue of whether English users are the victims of linguistic imperialism. Historically, English was regarded as a lingua franca and it has the same function nowadays (Kachru, 1985, cited in Jenkins, 2014). In addition, linguistic imperialism is related to English in this essay. Although English users could profit from the spread of English and ‘English linguistic imperialism’ indeed brings some advantages, some others still hold the view that English users areRead MoreLinguistic imperialism in Brazil Essays1349 Words   |  6 PagesLinguistic imperialism is a concept used by scholar Robert Phillipson, he mostly spoke about the imperialism of the English language, although this concept can be applied to all the world’s major international languages with imperialistic origins, when the original population had to adopt the invader’s language because of the benefits that accrue to the speakers of the languages when the dominant language has been imposed (Phillipson 31). Linguistic imperialism in Latin America started with the ‘discovery’Read MoreRisk And A Form Of Linguistic Imperialism1509 Words   |  7 Pagesdefined as a threat and it usually brings negative impacts to a person or an organisation. Hansson (2005) claims that many attempts have been made to define risk in a singl e meaning and eliminate other definitions which are futile and a form of ‘linguistic imperialism’. Since there is no exact meaning of risk, people describe risk based on their own perceptions and purposes. Perminova et al. (2008) and the Association of Project Management (APM) define risk as an uncertain event and exclusively negativeRead MorePartition and Scramble of Africa1582 Words   |  7 PagesGermany, Britain, France and Portugal. Africa was divided into 50 colonies without any regard for cultural and linguistic societies that were already established there which has led to conflicts between the independent African states after World War II. There were no representatives for the African states at the conference. THEORIES OF IMPERIALISM Conservative theory states that imperialism is necessary to maintain existing social order in more developed countries. In addition to secure trade marketsRead MoreThe Scramble for Africa Essay583 Words   |  3 Pagesover much land. The land they did have control over was costal; they were afraid to venture any further because of the high risk of malaria. Another factor was African tribes having a strong militaries. Africa was broken up into many ethnic and linguistic groups, each with their own religion. Some followed traditional beliefs while others converted to Islam and Christianity. Europeans and Africans traded some commodities such as gold, ivory, and spices. Africans kept Europeans under control and fromRead MoreEssay on Theory and Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures4270 Words   |  18 Pageshistorical time and the perpetual search for the determinants of a single, unified, and agreed meaning. The historical moment which saw the emergence of ?English? as an academic discipline also produced the nineteenth-century colonial form of imperialism (Batsleer et al. 1985: 14, 19-25). Gauri Viswanathan has presented strong arguments for relating the ?institutionalisation and subsequent valorisation of English literary study [to] a shape and an ideological content developed in the colonial contextRead More Colonialism and Imperialism - A Post-colonial Study of Heart of Darkness3270 Words   |  14 Pagesdarkness was here yesterday . . . savages, precious little to eat fit for a civilized man, nothing but Thames water to drink (9-10).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For Marlow, what is common between the Roman invasion and the British imperialism is a kind of mission without which the British imperialism would have been â€Å"just robbery with violence† (10).  Ã‚   Namely, Marlow focuses on an idea--an ideal slogan--which is employed to impose higher civilization on uncivilized world: What redeems it is the idea only .Read MoreThe Devastating Power of Western Colonialism Essay1762 Words   |  8 Pagesand status of the colonized is forever altered by the often cruel and violent actions taken by the colonizers during their initial struggle for influence, along with the long-term impacts that slavery, subjugation, cultural appropriation and linguistic imperialism have over a colonized region. Hegemonic rule and full-scale imperial endeavors defined English and France foreign affairs during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As the two largest imperialist superpowers of the time, France and BritainRead More Acco rding to Seamus Deane, Translations is a play about the tragedy1901 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Seamus Deane, Translations is a play about the tragedy of English Imperialism. How far would you agree with this statement in relation to both Translations and Heart of Darkness? INTRO Although the location, language and structure of Brian Friels Translations differs unmistakably from that of Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness, the topic of colonisation remains central to both. While the supposed sophistication of civilised colonists is deconstructed in Conrads novellaRead MoreA Passage Of India And The Relations Of Power10531 Words   |  43 Pageswill relinquish all his privileges (Abu Baker, 2006: 81). #According to Ngugi wa Thiong o in Decolonising the mind: the politics of language in African literature, he affirms that: The biggest weapon wielded and actually daily unleashed by imperialism against the collective defiance is the cultural bomb [†¦][which] annihilate people’s belief in their names, in their language, in their environment, in their heritage of struggle, in their unity, in their capacities and ultimately in themselves.