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-Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is .show and Carry Kinsdale.

Last
time we were talking about globalization process, and today we are going to
develop this subject. So, the topic is Pros and cons of widespread English and its
influence on national minorities. Our guest is Kristin Hopps, a prominent linguist
and the author of the book Linguistic globalization, which remains in the center
of discussion and continues to hold the attention all over the world. Kristin, could
you explain us what is meant by the phrase Linguistic globalization, and what
threat or disruptive effect could it possibly constitute to the world?
-Generally, the term linguistic globalization is associated with the spread of
English as a tool for global communication among people who use it as either
first, second or foreign language. In language studies, linguistic globalization
may be seen as global intensive lexical borrowing from English by languages
whose speakers use English as a foreign language, e.g. Polish, Spanish, Chinese.
The process of linguistic globalization is facilitated by cross-lingual borrowing,
with English being the most prominent donor of vocabulary and set expressions.
- What do you think of English language? It was said in your book, that English is
the major world language today in absolutely all spheres of society. And how could
it have happened that people leverages() this language as universal?
- First of all since English language has become one of the official languages of
the UN, it has become widespread in all the domains of knowledge. Secondly its
dominance strengthen because of the Americanization of world cultures. And
nowadays, the popularity of the American culture still grows. I can't say that
English language makes so disruptive effects as everybody says, but we still
should remember that it mustn't transcend the other languages.
- Yes. One more overriding issue is crisis situation with cultural and political
communities, indigenous communities I mean. As a result of their minority they
are on the brink of extinction nowadays. Who does influence on them and
contribute to their dying-out?
- Governments of the largest states, multinational corporations, the media are
stimulating the process of globalization, infringing upon interests of these
linguistic communities. And the complete dominance of English can become the
reason of disappearing of some languages

- And how can minorities perpetuate their language, culture and traditions? Are
there any organizations which support them and foster() their
human rights?
- Minorities should be granted all the rights and possibilities which are connected
to their language. Of course there are a lot of organizations which are interested
in saving pluralism f.e. UNESCO, European Parlament, the Council of Europe.
Some of them is a real driving force, they support a lot of programs such as
Erasmus, Comenius Grundtvig, which are turn to linguistic education
and maintenance of the ethnicity of communities
- Certainly, language is much more than a medium of information exchange. What
about the arrangements these organizations can ensure against so called Ethnic
cleansing , in linguistic respect of course. Is there a necessity to improve smth?
- Yes, sure. The indigenous languages should protected more and they need
sweeping changes. Organizations all over the world should think of the future of all
the nations, their language, culture and ethic, they should understand that their
personal involment will premise in maintanance of unicity nations.
__________
We all hope that cultural diversity will be saved. And even if English is a really
lucrative and customary language, we have no right to impose it on every nation.
Kristin Hopps, the author of maybe the most significant book for now. Thanks,
Kristin.
Tomorrow night, our guest is a famous doctor, Gerald Casey. That was he who had
invented a cancer medicine and developed the treatment strategy to make this
disease receded. That should be interesting.
Thank you for joining us.

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