The role of English in the modern world

(Brutt-Griffler’s model):

MACROACQUISITION

International language spreads not through speaker migration but rahter by many individuals in a speech community acquiring the language.

Language spread by speakers migration results typically in the development of largely monolingual English-speaking communities (US, New Zealand, Australia).

Macroacquisition, in reference to Englsih, has occurred largely in Outer Circle countries but even in some Expanding Circles countires. The result is not monolingualism but rather large-scale bilingualism.

3 MORE REASONS FOR THE SPREAD OF ENGLISH – past and present

a) IN THE PAST

Colonialism, speaker migration, and new technology

• 19th and 20th century British and American coloialism and the migration of English-speaking individuals to other areas
• Briatin becoming the world’s leading industrial and trading nation (beginning of the 19th century)

2. URBAN MIGRATION

• There is one type of migratin today that may be a significant factor in the continued growth of E today – urban migration.
• The most rapid urbanization today is taking place in the developing world where in Asia alone bw 1994 and 2025 there is likely to be an increase of more tha 20% in the urban population.
• Urban areas are typically the focus for linguistic change.
• They are also important points for language contact and diversity, and they encourage the growth of a middle class who become consumers of the global material culture.
• URBANISATION has importan effects on language demography. New languages emerge, others change, some are lost; new patterns of English uses will arise among second-language speakers.

Why Learn English?

• Communication
• Education
• The Internet and Press
• Traveling
• Business

Communication

Knowledge of English is a good opportunity to get a friend from another country