Email this article The Deceiving ELF? Can Englsh fulfil the role of a Lingua Franca?
Abstract
Abstract – The debate which surrounds the role of English as a lingua franca has been lively and extensive over the last twenty years or so. Numerous conferences and specific publications in the field testify to the interest and importance that the question of the development of a possible international functional language has stimulated. The present article aims to critically reassess the claims made for ELF and, at the same time, highlight the profound significance of the issues the debate has raised. Discussion of ELF has touched upon the perception of linguistic diversity, (in)accuracy and variation, intelligibility and the potential functions of an international language. Other topics of profound importance that are part of the debate relate to the role of any language in creating and maintaining identity, enabling social mobility and empowering its users. Some criticisms of ELF proposals have been easily rebutted, but this paper aims to underline the serious linguistic and socio-linguistic aspects of the debate in order to emphasize the need for a theoretical underpinning to our understanding of how language can operate in the global environment. Clarification of what we can and cannot know about language change and behavior will also contribute to ideas as to future research in ELF but will also bring us to the conclusion that predictions of the future development of ELF are of little purpose beyond the curiosity value they may possess.
Keywords: English1; lingua franca2; non-native speaker3.
Abstract– Il dibattito intorno al ruolo di inglese intesa come lingua franca è vivace e largo da almeno venti anni. Le conferenze e pubblicazioni specifiche sull’argomento sono numerose e sono testimone di quanto è interessante e importante la questione dello sviluppo di una lingua internazionale funzionale e utile. L’articolo qui presentato ha lo scopo di valutare a rivalutare le speranze che si sono formate per l’inglese come lingua franca e, nello stesso tempo, enfatizzare l’importanza profonda delle idee che sono state chiamate in causa durante il dibattito. La discussione ha coinvolto la percezione della diversità linguistica, errori possibili e la variazione, la comprensibilità e le funzioni potenziali di una lingua internazionale. Altri temi significativi sono collegati al ruolo di ogni lingua nel creare e mantenere identità, nell’aiutare la mobilità sociale e nel dare opportunità ai suoi utenti. Alcune critiche dell’uso di inglese come lingua franca sono state superate con facilità, ma questo articolo intende sottolineare gli aspetti linguistici e sociolinguistici del dibattito per dimostrare il bisogno di una base teorica per nostra comprensione di come una lingua può operare nel mondo globale. Rendere chiaro quello che si può sapere dei processi di cambiamento linguistico e dell’uso delle lingue ci aiuterà a trovare altre idee per le ricerche nell’ambito del futuro della lingua inglese come lingua franca e ci porterà alla conclusione che non ha tanto senso ipotizzare sugli sviluppi futuri eventuali della lingua inglese al di là di una certa interessa che ci sia nelle loro stranezze curiose.
Keywords: English1; lingua franca2; non-native speaker3.
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