Moreover, each has distinctive manifestations.
2.1 Superstratum
As the powerful side, the followings are manifestations of linguistic imperialism.
2.1.1 Colonization When colonists declared their taking over of the colonized realm obviously, their languages were taking over the nation’s languages as well for the purpose of making them suitable for their own taste and ideology. By pushing natives to speak English and punishing those who speak indigenous languages, colonists made indigenous tongue at verge. In some cases slavery trade was accompanied. In such circumstances, slaves were brought from different places and tribes, without a common language they had to resort to English. In North America at the colonized times from 15th century to 17th century, plenty of languages were lost.
2.1.2 Assimilation In a society with many ethnics, assimilation is not difficult to perceive. Moreover, in most cases, the main culture theme oppressed the subculture. Language, not merely reflects culture, also is the culture, therefore, oppressed ethnic languages by oppressing the ethnic culture. In linguistic imperialism, English assimilates the other. Assimilation, could be radical or in minor approaches, such as borrowing. Vocabulary borrowing is not bad in itself, while the danger is that when ethnic groups and tribes adopt the ways of others, they forget their own. For example, an ethnic group in United States, Saltrelli, faced with language death because of assimilation.
2.1.3 Language Planning A country may adopt whole-scale language planning for economic reasons. When the authority holds the view that English speaking society meet less barrier and confusion, and would result in larger profit and development of the nation’s economy, language planning would be brought into effect, “societal changes is prominent, problem-solving is vital, and a premium is paid for communication ease and consensual clarity of meaning.” [4] When language planning carried out, indigenous tongue was given less priority and met its danger.
Even if language planning is for a multi-lingua purpose, it would also turn out to be supportive for the English-only-society, as in the case of South African language planning, which aimed for a multi-lingua society but came out with the opposite effect.
2.1.4 Pidgin and Creole A simplified language derived from two or more languages is called a Pidgin. Usually it is a contact language developed and used by people who do not share a common language in a given geographical area and often for business purposes. Once the Pidgin has evolved and acquired native speaker, that is to say, the children learn the Pidgin as their first language, it is then called a Creole.
Creole is not the end. Here the author introduces another phase -- decreolism, which happens when its speakers are in touch of the original language that the Pidgin based upon, for example, English, they began give up the Pidgin and learn English. In this way, linguistic imperialism finds another way of invading.
The author believes that when Creole happens, the grave for native languages, for a great chance, has been prepared. On the other hand, English based Creoles are not in tiny number. For example, English based Roper River Creole, English based Cape York Creole, English based Saran and etc are all in sight.
2.1.5 Diglossia Diglossia, “refers to a sociolinguistic situation similar to bilingualism. But instead of two different languages,” it could also be “ two varieties of a language exist side by side throughout the community, with each having a definite role to play.”[5]
Diglossia could be classified into two: the High variety and the Low variety, which both exist in a community. For example, French is the High variety while English is the Low variety in Briton during Middle-English period. Diglossia also could be the same language but different varieties.
In Middle-English period, diglossia almost resulted in the disappearance of English, the imperialist nowadays. At modern times, diglossia also happens in US, the hodge-podge society. Many ethnic groups, with the existence of discrimination, are more willing to speak English in public in order to gain and maintain social status. Hence, we know diglossia is another factor of Linguistic Imperialism.
2.2 Substratum
Even though linguistic imperialism never ends, English was affected by the non-dominant speech as well. After all, communication is mutual. The modern American English is affected mostly by Black English Vernacular, which serves as a perfect illustration. It is most obvious among youngsters.
Everybody seems long for cool stuff, young teenagers especially. Take a look at a scene in high school, juveniles are doing everything they can to access to cool stuff, including imitating Black English. For example, they prefer the saying “yo, man”, “cool”, “hottie”, “rocks” and etc.
Pop Culture is one of the reasons. In today’s world, media, public propaganda, commercials, specious scholars exert the biggest charm. Hollywood and cables are in larger influences rather than Bible and political figures. Hence, non-standard vernaculars are in the way of Standard English, both British English and American English.
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