(Fwd) Re: Linguistic imperialism

[Marcus Kit Petz]

Forwarded message:
From:     Self <MAN-SCG-FS2/MPETZ>
To:       neale at BISHOP.BISHOP.HAWAII.ORG
Subject:  Re: Linguistic imperialism
Date:     Fri, 23 Feb 1996 11:11:59


> On Thu, 22 Feb 1996, Joe Laferriere wrote:
> > On Thu, 22 Feb 1996, Jeannette Ridder wrote:
> >
> <snip>
> Then .. how about Esperanto? There are some Chinese journals that have
> adopted this! TOTALLY non political or economic! But  ... hardly used or
> understood. At least English is used and understood by more people than
> Latin. If everyone is so down on English all of a sudden, just remember
> that it is the one used by the world's airlines and air traffic control.
> So, there IS some precendent for it being a "global" or "universal" language.

> :)
>
> Neal

English is also now the international language of diplomacy.
1 of the 2 official languages of the EEC (according to David Crystal
Encyclopedia of Language) French being the other.
1 of the 2 official languages of the UN
THe official language of the sea
THe language in which most computer info is written
THe language in which most telephone calls are spoken in (D Crystal)

Also are most scientistific publications and most scientists speak
English.

THese are excellent reasons for making English an official world
Language and pushing for universal comprehension.
History may have had other languages with greater presedence, but at
the moment English is in a better position and so for that reason it
should be made universal. The sad result of this will be that first
language English seakers may end up having no alternative view point
to contrast their opinions and perspective against






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