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Essay / Global Linguistic Analysis - 1659
They believe that English should be rejected because they do not want to lose their own language and culture. For example, in 1976, due to the need to develop a sense of national identity, Tanzanians decided to use their native language (Swahili) instead of English as their official language. Thus, this resistance to English could lead to a reduction in the dominance of global English. Recently, technological and electronic developments have allowed many languages other than English to be equally accessible. Computer operating systems and software vendors produce many different local languages. For example, in Japan, many computers are Japanese only. Additionally, translation machines allow translation from one language to another without the need for English, which may decrease the incentive to learn English. Finally, there are many different varieties of English, or as English people call it, like Singapore English, Indian English. English and Nigerian English. Each variety of English expresses the identity and culture of its speakers. It has been predicted that in the distant future these forms of English will fragment into mutually unintelligible varieties. This fragmentation could therefore slow down the diffusion of English as a global language.