By Lora Painter
Language is a vital aspect in defining a culture. Not only do these arbitrary written symbols and verbal utterances help distinguish one culture from the next, but also social mores, traditions and values are deeply embedded into the structure and performance of the language.
There are about 6,000 languages in the world today. But if English is now considered the ``universal language," belonging to many cultures, what defines English? Is it in danger of losing itself?
Some have argued that the beauty of language is that it is indeed changeable, able to morph itself with the changing attitudes, values and linguistic needs of its speakers. Purists and traditionalists may argue for a particular form of a language to be maintained as an archetype in which all deviations from could be considered inferior. In this case, language becomes a hegemonic device, used by a particular group to establish control over another.
In the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) business, especially in Korea, the most common form of English has been the mainstream-American form, most notably its spellings and pronunciations. It has been selected for adoption in foreign countries to help its learners ``get ahead" and for them to be included in the global community, unhindered by language barriers.
The increasing use of American-style English is a direct reflection of the U.S’s current influence as a world power. But more than two centuries ago, during America’s infancy, French was the diplomatic language of the Western world. Centuries before that, Latin was the ``It” language, allowing its speakers access into a world of intellectual specialization in jobs considered superior to the toils of food production. Now, English is that gateway to more career and lifestyle possibilities.
A greater amount of foreign English-speakers certainly makes the world a more convenient place for me to live in, but also perhaps a less exciting one.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of travelling is the thrill of the unknown. How invigoratingly overwhelming it is to be surrounded by sights and sounds that have no technical meaning to you as a foreigner. How I envy the local residents their ability to decipher the elusive codes of their language. What they see as monotonous and ordinary makes me feel like I was born yesterday ― and I love it.
But no such mystery exists for English: It’s everywhere ― it can’t be avoided. Even if one can’t speak it well, most likely they can read it and understand its basic vocabulary. Such widespread use of one language amongst so many diverse cultures is an unprecedented phenomenon. You don’t have to be from any particular place or culture to know English. But therein lies the rub.
Having a culture means you have something to claim, something you identify with, something that is shared and connects you with others. But culture also segregates and divides.
No one needs to be an American to speak English and obviously, not many people are. But more often than not, Korean is spoken by Koreans, Japanese is spoken by Japanese, Vietnamese is spoken by Vietnamese, etc. Conversely, being American doesn’t necessarily mean one’s native language is English.
While it still connotes the English-predominate parts of the Western-world, it is much more global, communicated in innumerable variations and styles not countered in any other language. Just as the world has never experienced such widespread use of one language, it has also never witnessed so many various forms of it.
Language is like a membership card, indicative of a person’s background and allowing them access into a special club. As English’s ``membership” increases, for better or for worse, that distinguishing line is blurred. Bonds are shallow, the cultural differences too great and the members’ only commonality is they can decipher the same code. Where then is the significance of that linguistic code if the ideas communicated are as varied as the speakers themselves?
Striving for a ``universal language,” like wishing for world peace, is a bit naive. But I do believe we have made use of a valuable tool. Communication technology has facilitated rapid sharing of ideas, but languages themselves prevent us from communicating these ideas to those who don’t understand our languages. We are still a divided world, and I foresee us always being so.
For now, we can seek solace in believing that we are never lost if we know English.
The writer has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University. She has finally embraced kimchi as a delicious part of her diet, but worries it might not taste as good if eaten in the States. She can be reached at lorapainter6@gmail.com.