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
KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?
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
KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?
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
KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?
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?
KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?
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
KQ #3: HOW DO LANGUAGES DIFFUSE?
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.