Linguistic Imperialism

Certain languages are taking over the world. Most of these languages have spread as a result of empires colonising over massive chunks of land. Such was the case for the British empire, who colonised almost a quarter of the worlds land area, carrying with them their dialect with an army and a navy.

The English language eventually became one of the most commonly spoken languages on earth; the lingua franca of the modern era. Yet there are still people and communities that are not a part of the global English speaking community of over a billion people, and because of the linguistic imperialism that the English language has faced, those people, no less capable than us, are at a huge disadvantage.

On an educational level, not having the ability to speak English anywhere near fluently can be a massive problem when applying for university entry, where, in most cases, an English language test needs to be taken. In a TED talk by Patricia Ryan in 2010, she states: "This system equates intelligence with the knowledge of English." For the individual of any culture or background that does not priorities the English language, there is an immediate barrier, not allowing them to be enrolled in many of the top universities in the world.

Could we fix this problem? Yes, by giving communities like such an opportunity to learn English at an early age. But won't this affect their culture? If children, whose cultural roots are the values their own dialect, grow up speaking English fluently, or even as their mother-tongue, then that dialect would surely be put in higher risk of being endangered. The loss of a language is the loss of a culture. The community as a whole, along with the culture and traditions they live by, could be endangered because of the lingua franca we call English. And it's not just English. Many other major languages are spreading across the globe, as many other regional dialects cease to exist. (Every 14 days in fact.) But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe with less languages, there's less separation. Who knows what the future holds?

Paper #1 Oxfam Analysis

The intended audience for this text is assumed to be for the middle to high-class population, which is suggested by the placement of the text. Only those who have access to such leisure and technology will be able to reap the benefits. The intended audience could be further narrowed down to the younger generation of adults, to whom the purpose of the article may seem of importance, as they are the future. It can also be targeted towards those who are willing to donate. The purpose of the text is to inform and educate, providing clear information about the food crisis at hand in the Sahel region.

The article begins with a general explanation of the crisis in the larger region of West and Central Africa. It also mentions previous issues of food crises, and the consequences of it. Then the article goes on to explain the problem at hand in the Sahel region, with a fair amount of factual support and detail. In the conclusion of the article, it mentions what Oxfam are doing to help with the food crisis in Africa: sending humanitarian and financial aid to those in need. The article possesses a theme of Problem/Solution. It is clear in its structure, and the way the information is presented. The author states the problems at hand, and concludes by stating what the solutions are to the crisis, as well as what's already being done. One could also note the sense of urgency that is evident in the text. This could be the overarching theme as well. The use of words such as "emergency","crisis", and "needs" all contribute in engaging the audience, and emitting a sense of urgency so the readers feel it to, and potentially fell the need to take action, fulfilling the overall hopes of the organisation itself. The article tries to convince the reader of the seriousness of the crisis. It also uses personal pronouns to engage the audience, and make them feel as of they are of importance in solving the food crisis. "We can work to break the hunger cycle in Sahel."

The tone of the piece is very serious and informative. The mood is brought about through the clear knowledge shown about the crisis itself. Many statistics and factual data is used to set this tone. As stated before, the use of certain words could set a mood of urgency, and a despite need for help from those whom the article is targeted towards. This would be in addition to the aid which is already being sent to those in need. The mentioning of this fact could also bring about enlightenment to the reader, who, after being informed about all the negativity in Sahel, might feel a sense of relief. Some lines such as “in a region where 300,000 children die from malnutrition-related diseases in a ‘non-crisis’ year” contribute to the pathos of the text. It calls for an emotional response from the intended audience, which could also set the tone and mood of the text.

The structure, as mentioned before, is very simple yet effective when considering the audience. It states the problem and gives the solution, asking for the support of the reader, and placing the future of this crisis in their hands. The negative perspective on the situation in the main body of the article makes the audience muse on the suffering of those in need, and then asks for the support. It is effective in bringing the emotions of the reader into the picture. The seriousness of the article is conveyed through the style in which it's written. It ponders upon nothing which distracts the reader from the main issue. The reader is as well bombarded with factual information that supports all of the negativity. The serious tone is further maintained throughout by the formality of the language used.