Linguistic Imperialism in the Globalized World: Examining English Dominance and its Sociolinguistic Consequences

Abstract

In an increasingly globalized world, the dominance of the English language has profound sociolinguistic consequences that spread through various aspects of society, culture, and identity. The current study explores Robert Phillipson’s concept of linguistic imperialism (1992), as the central theoretical framework for analyzing the topic of linguistic imperialism and English dominance; tracing the historical roots of English as a global lingua franca, besides exploring its persistent spread through globalization mechanisms. For that purpose, a qualitative textual analysis is used to describe linguistic imperialism and its dominance in the globalized world, in order to examine the historical, educational, and economical factors that have led to the spread of English around the world. Furthermore, it explores the historical roots and development of linguistic imperialism, particularly in the context of colonialism and post-colonialism. The study also sheds light on efforts to preserve linguistic diversity in the face of English dominance and the importance of language preservation for cultural heritage. By examining instances of linguistic resistance and the promotion of bilingualism and multilingualism as alternatives, this paper offers insights into strategies for justifying the adverse effects of linguistic imperialism. Finally, the study speculates on the future path of English as a global language, considering the potential impact of rising languages such as Mandarin. This research enriches the academic discourse on linguistic imperialism and its sociolinguistic consequences, offering a comprehensive examination of historical, contemporary, and future aspects of this complex phenomenon.