Linguistic Imperialism and World Englishes

The study of linguistic imperialism explores the structures and ideologies that facilitate language dominance, linguistic hierarchisation and inequalities, so as to reveal how and why some languages have spread internationally and grown in prominence. Linguistic imperialism has several identifiable dimensions, including interlocking structures of imperialism, exploitation and resource inequalities. Linguistic imperialism has been frequently invoked in world Englishes research as a means to explain the advantages deriving from the use of English as a result of colonialism and globalisation. Globalisation has become a form of neo-imperialism where a neoliberal economy has strengthened the notion of single global language, and promoted hegemonic views of English. This has created a complex system of power and resistance, driven by both explicit and implicit language policy, which linguistic imperialism analyses can help to understand.