Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language. Second edition. Cambridge University Press

Abstract

Crystal, David. 2003. English as a Global Language. Second edition. Cambridge: CUP. 212pp The position of English as a global language and its perceived effect on other languages has elicited strong debate for some time now. In a debate fraught with minefields, David Crystal attempts to take a neutral stance in the interests of what he terms 'balance and consensus'. For him there is no necessary clash between English the global language and the interests of other languages. He confesses his belief in the fundamental value of multilingualism and in a common language. On the one hand, he sees multilingualism as a resource which offers the benefit of being part of more than one culture. On the other hand, he sees a common language as a resource which promotes mutual understanding and thus presents fresh opportunities for global cooperation. For him, the principles should be complementary rather than divisive. In 1995, he set out to explain succinctly and factually why English has achieved its worldwide status. The three main questions the first edition of the book sought to answer were: what makes a world language? why is English the leading candidate? and will it continue to hold this position? In this new edition, the three questions remain, but the book has moved from being a more popular account to one which provides careful documentation of its arguments. Chapter 1 explores why English is a global language. Crystal argues that there is a clear link between English the global language and economic, technological and political power. He refers to the example of Greek and Latin to show how the spread of language is tied to successful military and maritime expeditions, showing how military power is not sufficient to maintain and expand the power of a language-this requires economic power. In the case of English, the position of the language established by the might of the British Empire would not have been maintained were it not for the rise of American economic power bolstered by the development of technology. With a global language come certain dangers. Crystal lists three of these: linguistic power, linguistic complacency and linguistic death. With regard to the first, Crystal considers that effective teaching of English is an effective counter to a situation in which those who speak English have power as opposed to those who don't. Effective teaching ensures that competence in English is not the preserve of the few. In the South African situation, a similar argument has been mounted, but perhaps there is more recognition than Crystal reveals in his book of the complexities of achieving this. The second danger Crystal lists, linguistic complacency or a feeling that it is not necessary to learn another language, was highlighted by the 9/11 episode where the failure of the intelligence services seems to have related in part to language limitations. Crystal is optimistic that the desire to boost exports and attract foreign investment and tourists will mean that there will be