key question #3: how do languages diffuse? (6 slides)

KEY QUESTION #3:

HOW DO

LANGUAGES

DIFFUSE?

(6 slides)

KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?

The two languages to diffuse first were Latin

& Chinese

Printing press invention helped spread

literacy(and spread languages besides Latin)

Rise of nation-states was important too---

early governments promoted common

culture(and common language)

Mercantilism & colonialism eventually led

to massive diffusion


A “lingua franca” is a language that was

present at one time, even though its not the

major language anymore; its often used for

trade & commerce in areas where multiple

languages are spoken

A “pidgin language” develops when people

speaking 2 or more languages are in contact

with each other and they combine their

languages into a simplified structure & vocab


If a combined language, or pidgin language,

is the first language children learn in the

home, then it is called a “creole language”

Term stems from the combination of

African languages with the languages of

the Caribbean(English, French &

Portuguese)

Pidgin & creole languages are both unifying

and simple


Very few monolingual states remain

Japan, Uruguay, Venezuela, Iceland, Denmark,

Portugal, Poland, Lesotho are most monolingual; none

are 100%

Most states are multilingual

Many of these states adopt an official language to tie the

people together

Some countries that were colonies still use that colonial

language as their official language(Portuguese in

Angola, English in Nigeria & Ghana, French in the Ivory

Coast)

Monolingual State a country in which

only one language is

spoken

Multilingual State a country in which

more than one

language is in use

Official Language should a multilingual

state adopt an official

language?


Some states have more than 1 official

language

Singapore has 4

India has 22!

The EU recognizes 20 official languages

The U.N. recognizes 6 official languages

U.N. ambassadors almost have to know

one of them; all translation is done in

those 6 languages


English is the standard language of

international business; all airplane pilots

must use it

Most think the universalizing influence of

English will do nothing but increase

How much is up for debate

Global Language

Is a global language the principle language people

use around the world in their day-to-day activities?

OR

Is a global language a common language for trade

and commerce used around the world?

English Speaking Countries

Fig. 5-1:

Online Population, 1996 - 2005

Fig. 5-1.1: English is still the largest language on the internet, but there has been

rapid growth in many others, especially Chinese.

E-Commerce

Languages

2000 & 2004

Fig 5-1.2: English and English-speaking

countries still dominate e-

commerce, but other languages

are growing rapidly.

key question #3: how do languages diffuse? (6 slides)

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