In relation to the question about the number of English language speakers
around the world, David Crystal in his book Global English illustrates the
three circles of English. Basically the first circle is the English speaking
countries, the second consists of the 'colonies' and nations which have
adopted English as the official/ government language and the third, and most
massive, includes almost every other 'significant' nation such as Russia,
China, Indonesia and so on. In terms of international relationships whether
economic, diplomatic, educational, scientific and so on, English is the
common language. While this may seem obvious enough, if we consider that
language is essentially ' a game of communication' as Wittgenstein would say,
then in order to communicate one has to take part in the 'game'. In taking
part in the game, there has to be an understanding of the rules of
communication, both overt and hidden rules, an understanding of the
context in which that communication takes place and a sorting out of the
relationships and baggage that each speaker brings to the game.Like any other game, in order to be good, it has to be practiced especially
if the art of communication can persuade and can identify, can signal
belonging and can determine the social order of the speaker. In the
world arena, a diplomat, politician without English is at a clear
disadvantage. Using interpreters and translation interferes with the
art of communication and as such interferes with the message and power
of persuasion. The advantage of English is immeasurable.Athena Vongalis
Language Policy research
Monash University[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Athena Vongalisyes, but only if you live with one eye in a tunnel reality
It helps you to avoid the depth. But have you ever thought about that not only countries are seperated by language like UK and US but also fields of profession or regions?
It looks very reasonable what you write, but it is not enough and it will leave out diversity and the potential to grow, change, and surprise!
There is no way other than to look into switching systems or what we
do in Europe with the MLIS Multi-Lingual Information Society. see: http://www.infoterm.or.at/index.html
and : www2.echo.lu/mlishome.htm
Closing the eyes is no way - you will miss seeing a lot, but it
is with words like with fog or even worth - you get into trouble when you
think you know but do not or worth drive faster as you see no fog.
"In trouble" might be war, but why not try a HUMANE INFORMATION SOCIETY:
see:
[2] Towards the Humane Information Society - People issues in the implementation
of the EU Framework V Programme, eds J.P. Chester, European Union ACTS
Programme USINACTS Project, Jp Chester, Institute of Technology, Carlow,
Ireland, ISBN: 1 901267 03 2 http://atwww.hhi.de/usinacts.html
as further elaborated in:
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/humane-info.htm
I can only STRONGLY recommend: http://www.uia.org/projects/cultency.htm
Encyclopedia of Conceptual Insights from the World's Cultures
Proposal to UNESCO in relation
to the Decade on Cultural Development
I have jsut organized a conference on WORLD CULTURES and definitely
your way is no way for a society searching for COMMON FRAMES OF REFERENCE
as we agreed in RIO at the EARTH SUMMIT.
see:
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/melbourne.htm
But please it need sto be an open transfer between schemas or models,
as in :
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/landscape.htm#Change
the maps, models, and paradigms
Not only ONE frame which closes our horizons mentally as well as physically in the end.
but if you want to open your eyes, share views, merge models, meatphors,
schemas, languages, have a look at:
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/spatialm.htm
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/landscape.htm#Change
the maps, models, and paradigms
you just need to, like many kids do already try to see with many eyes
in the HOUSE OF EYES:
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/uiu_plus/isss98/house-of-eyes.htm
If not thisngs are dangerous and maybe a deadly GAME OF COMMUNICATION
- as you cite WITTGENSTEIN
we know too much about peacemaking and dialogue, so we can not let
you go with your arguments:
http://www.uia.org/dialogue/webdial.htm
have a look at:
http://newciv.org/cob/members/benking/voicetxt.html
to be shure - we all struggle with English and can improve, but it is not enough!!
all the best to you
heiner benking
SYNOPSIS-UPDATE
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/ifsr/IFSRnov98pp.htm
* ME/FUTURES - http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/borderland.htm
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/recentsurvival9899.htm
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There is growing lament that wisdom, imagination and virtue are lost
when messages double, information halves, knowledge quarters,...
and noise without origin, quality, and purpose is everywhere.
But how to overcome this downward spiral?
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