How can we define what makes a cultural identity unique? Language has historically been an aspect of cultural identity. The language we speak can indicate and reveal a lot of information about our country of origin. As the world moves towards an English speaking homogeny, where does that leave language as a means of identity?
This past year I taught English as a Second Language to adult learners from all over the world. For them it was not an extra-curricular activity, but rather a requirement. As the world struggles to learn English as a second language, we can see them struggle with the pros and cons of making this language shift. But what are the ramifications for those of us who already speak English as our native tongue? Most of the world thinks we have it easy. We are not asked to forfeit our own language, or be forced to accept the inevitability of acquiring second language skills.
I think the positive affects of an English-speaking world on native speakers are more obvious than the negative affects. We are spared the time, effort and financial burden of learning a required second language. We have advantages in business and international teaching jobs. We are never accused of having an accent. If we cannot be understood, it is never our fault, because we speak English. We get through life never having to translate. Instructions, movies, important speeches and international conversations are presented in our language. The biggest inconvenience for us, is dealing with foreign accents, and even that to many people is not inconvenient at all.
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