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English As a Global Language
[…] In reflecting on these observations, it is
important to note that there are several ways in
which a language can be official. It may be the sole
official language of a country, or it may share this
status with other languages. And it may have a
semi-official status, being used only in certain
domains, or taking second place to other languages
while still performing certain official roles. Many
countries formally acknowledge a language's
status in their constitution (e.g. India); some make
no special mention of it (e.g. Britain). In certain
countries, the question of whether the special
status should be legally recognized is a source of
considerable controversy – notably, in the USA.
Similarly, there is great variation in the reasons for
choosing a particular language as a favoured
foreign language: they include historical tradition,
political expediency, and the desire for
commercial, cultural or technological contact.
Also, even when chosen, the presence of the
language can vary greatly, depending on the
extent to which a government or foreign-aid
agency is prepared to give adequate financial
support to a language-teaching policy. In a wellsupported
environment, resources will be devoted
to helping people have access to the language and
learn it, through the media, libraries, schools, and
institutes of higher education. There will be an
increase in the number and quality of teachers able
to teach the language. Books, tapes, computers,
telecommunication systems and all kinds of
teaching materials will be increasingly available.
In many countries, however, lack of government
support, or a shortage of foreign aid, has hindered
the achievement of language-teaching goals. […]
David Crystal 1997, 2003
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