Languages and Globalization

Over the past several centuries, Western society has had specific languages that have dominated international politics and business. It was a practical tool so that people from various countries could conduct their affairs in a single language that everyone understood.

When the Roman Catholic Church dominated Europe during the Middle Ages, Latin was predominant. Everyone who was anyone spoke that language. When France became the major power on the Continent, French overcame Latin. (Hence the term lingua franca.) When the United States became the major political, economic and social power in the world, English overcame French. (Through English had already received a boost from the British Empire.)

Today, nearly everyone in the world who has received an education has some knowledge of English. It is vitally important for anyone who wants to pursue international politics or business.

This, of course, gives Americans (and Britons) an advantage. While most educated people in the world speak at least two languages, Americans are sorely lacking in this department. (It hasn’t helped that we are further removed from other countries, thanks to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, than most other parts of the globe.) While people in other countries begin learning English in elementary or junior high school, we usually don’t offer foreign languages until high school — and sometimes it is even optional.

In an increasingly globalized and flat world, Americans need to begin teaching their children about other countries and languages. While English is still the lingua franca of the world, this may change in the coming decades — particularly with the rise of China and India. (See here.) People learn foreign languages much more easily when they are young, so the United States needs to start now if we want to remain competitive.

If an American business wants to operate in China, it is currently much easier to find a Chinese person who speaks English than the other way around. So, who is the company going to hire?

While learning foreign languages has a practical application, it also provides softer skills: it teaches individuals about other cultures and societies, along with various ways of thinking. Those who are more globalized will operate better in a globalized world.