The advantages and disadvantages of a global language

Posted on July 26, 2021

I was reflecting upon the topic for my blog post when an idea popped into my head. Last summer, I was going over old photo albums, records, passports and such with my family. And then I stumbled across something that really struck me. My mother showed me my maternal grandfather’s work card, which he obtained in Germany. After World War II, my grandfather, who was the eldest in his family, decided to leave his village in Calabria, in the south of Italy, and search for work elsewhere in Europe. This German work card surprised me because there was no English translation in sight! In fact, the text was translated into French. I had become so used to English being the global language, especially after feeling its omnipresence while travelling abroad, that I forgot that French once occupied that same global position. This got me thinking, “What are the advantages and disadvantages of a global or universal language?”

Advantage 1: Facilitates communication between different cultures

A global language allows for communication between different cultures. Language has always been the focal point of cultural identity. A global language dismantles communication barriers and offers individuals a gateway to understanding one another’s cultures.

Two years ago, my family and I travelled to Argentina, where we watched the Buenos Aires soccer team play a game. As a futbol fanatic, I remember talking in English with this Argentinian university student after the game. We had an amazing conversation about Argentinians’ passion for soccer compared with that of Canadians. Even though we were both from different countries, and English was not our native tongue, we were able to connect culturally through our ability to speak the current global language.

Advantage 2: Facilitates international trade

With the rise of globalization and neo-liberalism since the 1970s, an unprecedented amount of international trade and business between different countries has been carried out. The reality is that in order to buy from or sell to a business partner from another country, you need to communicate effectively and accurately. Thankfully, a global language eliminates the communication barrier, promoting greater international trade and opportunities for economic growth.

As I was doing research for this blog post, I came across a very interesting index called the “Language Barrier Index (LBI).” In short, the LBI “quantifies international language barriers by measuring the dissimilarity between the main languages of trading partners.”Footnote 1 Although it involves a very complicated mathematical equation, it speaks to the advantage of having one world language. Using the LBI, Lohmann found that “language barriers are a significant deterrent to bilateral trade. A 10% increase in the Language Barrier Index can cause a 7% to 10% decrease in trade flows between two countries.”Footnote 2

Disadvantage 1: Presents challenges for non-native speakers in the sciences

There are bigger disadvantages of having a global language than the one I’m going to discuss in this section. However, I wish to explore this one because it has a direct impact on the field I’m currently studying in. Since I’m in environmental studies, scientific literature is vital to any lab, research project or assignment in my classes.

Getting a scientific paper published is a long (about one year) and difficult task that requires many steps. Having a global language has allowed scientists to access a vast amount of literature from around the world, but it has also presented significant challenges for non-native speakers of English. You might be thinking, “They’re scientists. Why are adequate English language skills needed by scientists to get their papers published?” Well, scientists need to clearly communicate their findings, conclusions and methods, and for some non-native speakers, that can be strenuous. Scientists who want their work to be globally recognized need to attend English conferences or discussions and read English scientific papers. According to an article published in The Atlantic, 80% of scientific papers were in English.Footnote 3 Furthermore, the article notes that “a journal published in a language other than English must at the very least include English abstracts.”Footnote 4

Disadvantage 2: Poses a threat to minority languages

According to a BBC article, in this last century, some 400 languages have become extinct – about one language every three months – and in the next century, 50% of all remaining languages will become extinct.Footnote 5 Needless to say, this is worrying, because simply put, an extinct language means the loss of a unique culture. People who speak a global language have greater opportunities for employment, education and overall success. Therefore, some minority language speakers believe that learning to speak a global language will benefit them financially.Footnote 6 Furthermore, with globalization, our cultures are ever increasingly interconnected, catalyzing the takeover of minority languages by a global language.

In conclusion, a global language has its advantages and disadvantages. Its strong points include facilitating communication between different cultures and paving the way for greater international trade between countries. Its drawbacks are the challenges it creates for non-native speakers in the sciences (especially when it comes to publishing scientific literature) and its contribution to the extinction of minority languages. The question remains: Will English continue as the world’s global language in this century and beyond, or will another language take its place?

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The opinions expressed in posts and comments published on the Our Languages blog are solely those of the authors and commenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Language Portal of Canada.

Get to know Alexandre Chemla

Alexandre Chemla

Alexandre Chemla

Alexandre Chemla is a student at the University of Ottawa. He is enrolled in the bilingual environmental studies program, with Italian as his minor. As a fluent French and Italian speaker in Canada, and an active member of both the French and Italian communities, he values the importance of a language in connecting to his family roots.

 

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Submitted by Catherine Venture on October 11, 2021, at 16:23

There is a global language and it works well. It is called Esperanto.

Submitted by Mirjalol on May 3, 2023, at 3:31

it was very useful data for me to my coming individual assignment. thank u Alexandre

Submitted by Umair Ahmad on May 3, 2023, at 5:50

On the one hand, the Internet has made it easier than ever to access information on any subject, connect with people around the world, and conduct business and transactions from the comfort of your own home. Backgrounds to learn and acquire new skills through online courses and resources. On the other hand, the Internet can also be a source of misinformation and cybercrime, as well as a platform for online harassment and bullying.

Submitted by Rohan Jolly on May 4, 2023, at 9:05

Disadvantage 1: Presents challenges for non-native speakers in the sciences
Not a real disadvantage as everyone should learn English so they can communicate with the world. I can understand that people born before the new millenium might not have had the opportunities but everyone else really has no excuse. Not learning the common tongue is not only disadvantageous but also disrespectful to the global community. After all, everyone else is putting in the time and effort to learn the language.
Disadvantage 2: Poses a threat to minority languages
Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
Did you understand that? Hmm, must be in a minority language that is no longer relevant. Translation: Times change; we also change with them.
Anyway, a good discussion on the merits and drawbacks on the concept of a universal language.

Submitted by RUTVIK BAROT on September 15, 2023, at 22:06

It's next to impossible that another language will take place of English due to the fact that English is so interconnected world wide for many purposes such as education, business, travel and so on it is the only mode of communication which joint or making a bond between two different cultures which makes a feeling of "one earth one world".
Thank you, for reading my opinion.

Submitted by Dak Mamok Riak Gai on March 3, 2024, at 2:49

It's good to know the global language because it allows you to communicate with different tribes in public occasions.
English