What are your thoughts on ideas of cultural and linguistic imperialism? Should it be resisted and if so how?

Question

Well it's a question about your thoughts, formulate it however you like

Ecconomist, No, I didn't get stuck with a Marxist prof. I come from a country where it was either learn English or starve, where the dominant culture imposed their representations of our culture. Sure translating is expensive, and it makes no sense to have multiple languages if you see the medium as neutral. I, for one, don't.

Answer 1

English has been the dominant language almost all around the world for more than half of a century now. It is the first foreign language to be taught in many countries, and in some countries especially in Africa, it is the second official language almost replacing the mother tongue of the countries it is spoken. But why English and not Turkish, Japanese, Swahili or Danish? And why does the world need a global language to rely on? Robert Phillipson, in his book Linguistic Imperialism, tries to draw a theoretical framework in order to find some answers to these questions. His major concern is the role of English language teaching (ELT) in promoting English, and hence cultural and linguistic imperialism.

According to Phillipson, the promotion of the English language is intentional and deliberate provided by both public and private forces. The spread of English has not been left to chance, and language pedagogy (ELT) has played its part in this process.

English has been penetrating in the cultures of non-native speakers of English. ELT has a great role in providing the conditions for the global, linguistic, cultural, social and economic imperialism. We cannot, of course, link every kind of English teaching to a global policy although it is obvious it has become the dominant language throughout the world not by chance but by systematic policies followed from the beginning of this century.

I honestly believe that it can be resisted to an extent. How? Well, I don't quite know yet.

Answer 2

By Imperialism, you say it like it's a bad thing, and it could be. For example, Nazi imperialism should be resisted because it seeks to destroy groups of people based on eugenics in favor of another group of people.
Imperialism based on Liberalism is an entirely different matter. (Classic Liberalism, not the media definition)
Liberalism doesn't seek to destroy indiginous culture but incorporates parts of different cultures that contribute to the whole of society while creating a set framework for a commonality with all cultures.
All other political, social and economic systems are subject to devolving into authoritarian autocracies or oligarchies, except Liberalism. Nothing that is created by humanity is perfect or ever will be perfect and this goes for Liberalism as well but Liberalism has one perk that makes it the best choice for humanity on earth, Liberal states are peaceful states, towards other Liberal states. Liberal states are quite lethal to non-liberal states. If the planet was made up of Liberal states, it should be a peaceful planet and humanity could move on towards better pursuits than war. This probably won't happen in our lifetime but is a goal worth working towards.
Although we Americans are not an entirely Liberal state, we are pretty close compared to other states, and this is the source of our strength. Emerging from the conflicts of the twentieth century as the heir apparent hegemonic state, we have a duty to press the world to Liberalize. We have been drawn out of our isolation and since we're out, lets fix this insane planet once and for all. We have that opportunity now and it won't come again.
Should cultural and linguistic imperialism be resisted, yes and no.
It would benefit a people, any people, to embrace the American political and economic system. But at the same time resist cultural changes that would completely destroy a culture from the earth. In example, the Japanese and the Germans; they maintain their ethnic and cultural systems while doing well economically and socially with the Liberal system imposed upon them by the United States and the WW2 allies.
This may be difficult to some conservative groups like the Taliban because the western model is so much more fun and attractive to future generations. It would be difficult in a Liberal world to maintain total conservative cultural control in an overall system that provides individual choice. Just ask the Baptists.
I have been a bit long winded but I hope I have articulated my point well enough for you to get my meaning. I could go on and on about this.

Answer 3

Oh, good grief. Did you get stuck with a Marxist professor?

If they're asking this kind of question, what they WANT you to write is that, yes, we must resist cultural and linguistic imperialism by encouraging diversity, supporting dual-language instruction so that immigrants don't forget their native languages, etc., etc.

What I actually think about "linguistic imperialism" is that having one common language -- it doesn't matter which one -- is extremely helpful from the standpoint of understanding each other, having educated, well-informed voters, public safety (it's hard to deal with an emergency or life-threatening situation when people can't understand each other), economics (it's very expensive to do everythign in two or more languages in one country -- large costs for court translators, bilingual employees, etc.)

"Cultural imperalism" is a weird idea that conceals a lot. If one culture has something of value, it will catch on. Is Mexican culture "imperalist" in California and the Southern U.S. because its langauge and food is so popular? Most Marxists would say no, it's only the big, bad U.S. and the English language that are culturally imperialistic.

All non-violent cultures have something of value. (That excludes the cultures that grow terrorists, of course -- but don't get into that with your professor either. He/she may well be a terrorist-friendly sort --one who can explain away their worst mass murder bomb attacks while harshly condemining people on "our" side for trivial or debatable wrongs.)

Sorry if this answer is a downer, but it can be frustrating to be stuck in a class where the teacher is a raving socialist.

My advice is to give them what they seem to want, but not to lose your own common sense.

If they have given you other questions to choose from as well that reflect that they are poltiically balanced themselves or capable of seeing both sides, then feel free to argue any side of the issue. But if this is the only topic they've asked you to write about, they are definitely a bit anti-American or socialist.

If they drive you nuts all year its perfeclty OK to mention that if you are ever given the chance to rate your teacher or professor anonymously or after you've left their class.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Islam does exalt Arab tradition, language, folkways, rituals, and attitudes over all others, and imposes that tradition on its adherents, darling...as a consequence the imposition of matters just like the burqa on humans whose local tradition does no longer aid such recommendations. I'm no longer certain what outcome that has at the "allegiance to their nation of delivery" for the reason that I do not suppose that I could ever query anyone else's patriotism, nevertheless it undoubtedly informs Muslim habits inside their possess nations. Abdulmalik - nationalism is not regularly outlined as adherence to a political or geographic entity. In this situation, Islam IS the country in query...and the predicament is that Arab tradition is imposed on non-Arabs like your self, who then take Arabic names like Abdulmalik, gain knowledge of Arabic, undertake Arab folkways and apparel, and regularly become a member of a "nebulous and romanticised arabocentric ummah" within the phrases of the query. Pointing out that Muhammad wasn't a king does not make Islam much less nationalistic.

Answer 5

It's evil to bring savage cultures into the world economy. You can stop it by bombing a KFC or Walmart.

Answer 6

Is imperialism still an active force today?

Answer 7

Could you be a little bit more specific? That's kind of a vague question.

Answer 8

search for "jena 6"in youtube.nuff said.

Answer 9

deport ALL illegal immigrants..... end ALL immigration... no I am not making a joke.