@
@
@
  TOP >> Monthly Meeting >> 2008/10/25‚ฬŒค‹†‰๏Last updated on September 5, 2008
@
กก 2008-2009 JACET Kanto Monthly Meeting กก

‰‰‘่FTHE FUTURE OF ENGLISH: WORLD LANGUAGE OR COMMUNICATION TOOL?

”ญ•\ŠT—v Today according to some experts, there are probably two billion speakers of English ? that is, approximately one third of the world population. At first glance, these figures seem to strengthen the theory that English will, sometime in the future, become the Number One language in the world. Before we jump to this conclusion, we must, however, examine these statistics more carefully.

The future of English is neither as rosy as some supporters insist nor as threatening as some critics fear. English is no exception to the rule that languages change in time and space. As long as English is the language of economic, political and technological power, it will remain a world language; however, it will not replace the other languages. In private, people will continue to speak their native/local languages, while in specific situation, especially at the international level, they will use English.

If the varieties of English become mutually incomprehensible, then English could divide into separate languages, each reflecting its particular culture. In this case, English would lose its status as a world language and become a convenient communication tool for sending and receiving messages.

The future of English will be determined by the events in the coming years.

”ญ•\Žา—ช—๐ Dr. Joan McConnell
EDUCATION DOCTORATE: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (NYC, New York)
Ph.D. in Historical Linguistics under the direction of the late Professor Mario A. Pei
Previous Education: M.A. from Columbia University; B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Rome, Italy.
PREOFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Professional training as a classical ballerina at the School of American Ballet in New York City, New York
PRESENT POSITIONS
(1) Visiting Professor at Bunkyo Gakuen University (Tokyo, Japan) in the Department of Foreign Studies
(2) Visiting Professor at the University of Human Arts and Sciences (Tokyo, Japan) in Intercultural Communication
(3) Guest Lecturer at Toyo Gakuen University (Tokyo, Japan)
(4) Guest Lecturer in the U.S., Europe, and Asia
PAST POSITIONS
(1) STANFORD UNIVERSITY: Language Program Director of the Stanford University Program in Florence, Italy
(2) STANFORD UNIVERSITY ALMUNI SUMMER SYMPOSIUM: Director of this program in Florence, Italy
PUBLICATIONS
1. 28 books on linguistics: intercultural communication; world English; linguistic discrimination; European culture; body language; English education; body language; language and rhythm
2. Various articles on the above topics