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<h2>English as a global language and its importance in Bangladesh </h2>
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<div id="gmail-hl3">English is likely to remain
the most widespread language of the world, but its future depends on the
energy and enterprise of the people who speak it
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DR.-FORQAN-UDDIN-AHMED </div>
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<img alt="English as a global language and its importance in Bangladesh" src="http://www.theindependentbd.com/assets/news_images/global-language1.jpg">
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<p style="text-align:justify"><img alt="" src="http://www.theindependentbd.com/assets/archive/images/DR%281%29.%20FORQAN%20UDDIN%20AHMED" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 2px; float: left; height: 250px; margin: 4px; width: 200px;">The
English Language Education (ELE) system of Bangladesh has been
established backed by the guidelines of the NEP given that Bangladesh
does not have a language policy. The educators and advocates of the ELE
in Bangladesh give a number of arguments in favour of the compulsory
provision for the ELE in Bangladesh. They are i) English is a colonial
inheritance, ii) English is an international language, iii) English is a
means for the access to the global knowledge, and iv) English is a
means for the access to the global job market.<br>
However, these arguments are not enough to make the ELE obligatory in
Bangladesh. Because, the ELE as a system is required to be established
and run by based on a language planning in compliance with a language
policy underpinned by an appropriate ideology. Hence, Bangladesh needs a
proper framework for establishing an ELE system of its own. However,
there are certain frameworks in order to establish and run a system of
education under the administration of a government.<br>
The extent and importance of the English language today are such as to
make it reasonable to ask whether we cannot attempt an intelligent
speculation as to the probable position, which it will occupy in the
future. From a language spoken only by a million and a half of people
towards the close of the eleventh century, it rose to be the language of
five and a half million by 1700. From eighteenth century onward,
English began to spread outside of England. And now it is spoken by men
and women in the different parts of the world. English is the second
language in Europe (Russian being the first from the point of view of
numerical strength). Chinese and Russian languages that rival the
English language for the position of the world language have one basic
drawback. They are limited to particular blocks of land-they are not
scattered throughout the world. Moreover, they are collections of many
dialects which from the phonetic point of view are as good as distinct
which from the phonetic point of view are as good as distinct languages.
In this respect, English is more fortunate. It is spoken by men and
women scattered throughout the globe. It is the language of America,
Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The language has
spread to South Africa, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma and
Malaysia. It is now spoken and written in African countries and even in
China and Russia. Thus in each continent, there are large numbers of
people who would plead for English as the world language.</p> <div class="gmail-visible-desktop" style="width:250px;height:250px;float:left;margin-right:30px"><div class="gmail-row-fluid"><span class="gmail-span12">
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<p style="text-align:justify">There are certain liabilities, which
prevent English from becoming the accepted language of the world. The
vast number of its synonyms and the lack of correspondence between
spelling and pronunciation stand in the way of the foreigners to learn
English quickly. In Asiatic and African countries of England-American
English, British English, Australian English, Canadian English, and also
Indian English.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">It is, therefore, necessary that English
should try to forge a Standard English, which should be accepted by all.
Potter rightly observes, “English is likely to remain the most
widespread language of the world, but its future depends on the energy
and enterprise of the people who speak it.” It is time that the
Britishers should accept the kinds of English spoken by America or
Australia or India. Today English language is not a monopoly of the
inhabitants of Britain, it belongs to all. It would be reasonable to
give parity of esteem to all educated forms of English speech.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Fortunately, there is solid core of common
usage in all English-speaking countries, which makes it possible to
talk of standard world English. The differences in vocabulary are not
enormous; the differences in spelling are negligible; differences in
pronunciation can be accommodated. In formal writing, the essential
structure of the language is practically the same throughout the
English-speaking world. So the English speaking world should not be
fastidious about minor differences. In this respect, English has a major
role to fulfill. She should try to accelerate the progress of English
language in all fronts of life. There are forces working in favour of
English and these forces have to be strengthened. A joint drive by the
British Councils and the United States Information service can
considerably strengthen the forces and play a vital part in the
emergence of English as the common language of the world of tomorrow.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">English cannot be dispensed with in free
India. It is the international language for communication among the
peoples of the world. No country today can remain isolated from the rest
of the world. There are multilateral trades, multidimensional cultures
and multi-linear science and technology through the interaction with
different countries. Modern world has expanded and intensified the
exchange of ideas and thoughts among the nations. Higher education is
best imparted through the English language. England and America are
still the centres of modern researches in science, technology and
literature. The knowledge of English language would foster our
relationship with these countries and would help us imbibe the latest
thoughts and researches in science and humanities.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">There is no reason why the students in
Bangladesh should not learn English from the primary age. A boy can
learn two or three languages because a boy’s mind is more receptive and
more sensitive. One’s mother tongue should be given the priority in the
language group of studies, but English can be studied as a second
language. It would be harmful for the country if only a few elitist
schools teach English to their boy’s. This will lead to the social and
cultural disparity resulting in serious hindrances to the progress of
the country. All boys and girls would be given equal opportunities of
learning and each student would be allowed to make their grade according
to his merit. Poor students in village schools have the potentialities
to qualify themselves for good careers in administrations, commerce and
education, and they should be provided with opportunities and ambience
for the display of their merits and potentialities. English learning at
the primary level would prepare them for higher education and would open
up possibilities for their brilliant careers.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">Economic backwardness, culture disparities
have intensified the separatist forces. We talk of common religion,
common heritage, but these talks do not go down much with the present
generations. A common language and educational facilities through the
common language can mitigate this sense of plurality, and generate the
feeling of unity among us. Bengali alone cannot serve this purpose,
though it is internationally recognized. English can be the link
language among our different areas and at the same time can link us with
the outside world. To disown its importance and neglect its use in
India would be at our peril.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify">The writer is a columnist and researcher</p>
<p style="text-align:justify"><a href="mailto:forqan.info@gmail.com">forqan.info@gmail.com</a></p>
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<br>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+<br><br> Harold F. Schiffman<br><br>Professor Emeritus of <br> Dravidian Linguistics and Culture <br>Dept. of South Asia Studies <br>University of Pennsylvania<br>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305<br><br>Phone: (215) 898-7475<br>Fax: (215) 573-2138 <br><br>Email: <a href="mailto:haroldfs@gmail.com">haroldfs@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/">http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/</a> <br><br>-------------------------------------------------</div></div>