The influence of globalization on the spread of American English Presentation is made by Daria Vanyukova ISLU, 2011

Current Understanding of the term “Globalization ” The term "globalization" has quickly become one of the most fashionable buzzwords of contemporary political and academic debate. Globalization has various aspects which affect the world in several different ways: Globalization of culture Globalization of politics Globalization of economy Ecological globalization Globalization of the language

Globalization of culture Technology has now created the possibility of a global culture. The Internet, fax machines, satellites, and cable TV are sweeping away cultural boundaries. Global entertainment companies shape the dreams of ordinary citizens, wherever they live. Spread of values, norms, and culture tends to promote Western ideals of capitalism. The examples of the cultural globalization are numerous. For instance, people follow the same fashion, listen to the same music and eat the same food (usually, fast food).

Globalization of politics Under globalization, politics can take place above the state through political integration schemes such as the European Union and through intergovernmental organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Political activity can also transcend national borders through global movements and NGOs.

Globalization of economy The realization of a global common market, based on the freedom of exchange of goods and capital. Advances in communication and transportation technology, combined with free-market ideology, have given goods, services, and capital unprecedented mobility.

Ecological globalization The advent of global environmental challenges that cannot be solved without international cooperation, such as climate change, cross-boundary water and air pollution, over-fishing of the ocean, and the spread of invasive species.

Globalization of American English English now has some kind of special status in more than 70 countries - far more than any other language In addition, English is the language most widely taught as a foreign language - in more than 100 countries worldwide. No other language - Chinese included - even comes close to this level of growth.

Historical Context of English Globalization Such historical event as colonization of America became the first step for globalizing of English. Asked in 1898 what event in modern history he saw as decisive, Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany said: "The fact that North Americans speak English".

Political Reasons of the Popularity of American English The U.S. has nearly 70 percent of all English mother tongue speakers in the world (excluding Creole varieties). Such dominance, with its political and economic underpinnings, currently gives the Americans a controlling interest in the way the language is likely to develop

The US is the strongest world political and economic partner; thus, English as their main language is hence becoming the "working" language of globalization and one of its means.

NATO, an alliance formed during the Cold War to defend Europe against the Soviet Union, is another political power that helps English become a global language. And NATO is still growing, adding many Eastern European nations and Turkey since its inception.

The Role of Economic Might in the Spread of American English American businesses do not aim at spreading the English language but at making money

The Role of Cultural Might in the Spread of American English US businesses sell in nearly every country on earth. The products they sell are elements of culture, whether they are selling movies, coke, fast food or Wal-Mart. You cannot go anywhere in the world without running into elements of US culture.Coca cola is sold in nearly every country and is sold on every continent except for Antarctica.

McDonald's is also a US company that is distributing US culture throughout the world, listing over 40 countries on their website ( McDonaldization (as the spread of McDonald stores around the world) and the world-wide diffusion of Hollywood movies not only as signs of the Americanization of our planet but also as evidence that it is becoming more and more uniform culturally. The Role of Cultural Might in the Spread of American English

The USA controlled about 85 per cent of the world film market, with Hollywood films dominating the box offices in most countries. Another way of hearing English is listening to songs. The important role in the spreading of American English was played by the advertisement. The Role of Cultural Might in the Spread of American English

The USA has been the center of Industrial revolution since the time of Fulton, Edison, Ford and others. Computer programming languages are based on English (Microsoft Windows) Video Games also originated in the United States The Internet allows people from all over the world to communicate easily for the first time in history (US companies such as Yahoo!, Google and Microsoft). English is the force that makes the Internet so powerful. The Role of Technological Revolution in the Spread of American English

Conclusion Today, American English is considered a global language which appears as an independent language and differs from other Englishes in pronunciation, grammar rules and vocabulary.

The main reasons of the globalization of American English are the following: historical (the colonization of the world by the British Empire); political (the growth of the political power of the US on the world arena); economic (economic superiority of the US); cultural (the spread of American culture: Hollywood, fast food, American songs, etc. and the spread of the Internet that was invented by American scientists and where most of sites are in English).