Redefining English as An International Language By Ardhy Supraba

A.    Introduction

The reason why I chose that statement is because I want to know more the distinctions of English in some sense is being used as an international language especially in global and local sense.

In explaining the use of English as an international language, one of the important characteristics of English as an international language is that English is used to communicate in global and local language. Hence, when English is being used in global language, so English is used across borders. Meanwhile when English is being used in local language, then English is used within a country. McKay (2002: 38, 1^st paragraph)

Thus, this paper is going to focus on the distinctions of English as an international language in global and local sense.

B.     Discussion

The writer thinks that today, English is becoming more and more popular all over the world. It is not only considered as the mother tongue but also used widely in the world as an international language. In this case, based on the writer’s point of view during studying English for 17 years, the writer can say that the difference of English as an international language in global sense and local sense namely when English is used as an international language in global sense, it is used for communication tool between countries. Whereas, when English is used as an international language in local sense, it is used for communication tool to serve significant interrelation between local societies in that country. For instance of English in global sense is used for communication tool between countries such as Singaporean entrepreneurs use English with Chinese entrepreneurs in negotiating transactions and Philippine tourists use English when traveling to India. Meanwhile, for example of English in local sense is used for communication tool to serve significant interrelation between local societies in that country such as by using idioms and slangs languages when the societies are communicating each other.

Furthermore, to back up the writer’s point of view, there are two statements come from Smith and Sandra Lee McKay. The first statement is based on Smith in Sandra Lee McKay (2002: 12, 2^nd paragraph) The distinction of English when it is used as an international language in global and local sense namely as follows:

1.   When English is used as an international language in global sense, English is used for international communication from one country with another. While, when English is used as an international language in local sense, English is used as a language within multilingual societies.

2.   When English is used as an international language in global sense, one of the most important functions is to allow speakers sharing with others including their culture and thought. While, when English is used as an international language in local sense, English becomes joining together in the culture of the country where English is used.

Moreover, the second statement is according to McKay (2002) in Naratip Jindapitak (2013: 118, in Introduction and Contextualization 1^st paragraph) illustrates that the functions of English as an International Language can be in both global and local sense. In a global sense, it is used as an international lingua franca between speakers from different mother tongue backgrounds. In a local sense, it is used as a communicative tool to cater meaningful interactions between local speakers within one country.

C.    Conclusion

Based on the discussion above, the writer can conclude that the distinctions of English when it is used as an international language in global and local sense namely as follows:

1.   When English is being used in global sense, so English is used across borders that is used for communication tool between countries and allowing speakers from one country to share with others.

2.   When English is being used in local sense, so English is used within a country that is used for communication tool to serve meaningful interaction between local speakers within multilingual societies in a country.

References

McKay, Sandra Lee. 2002. Teaching English as an International Language. Oxford University Press. Page 12, 2^nd paragraph.

Jindapitak, Naratip. 2013. The Politics of Standard English: An Exploration of Thai Tertiary English Learners’ Perceptions of the Notion of Standard English. Asian Social Science. Vol. 9. No. 5. Page 118, in Introduction and Contextualization 1^st paragraph.

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