Lexical Anglicisms in the Era of Economic Globalization: A Sociolinguistic Analysis

Abstract

The future of a language is characterized by the interaction of different subjects, which favour their expansion, preservation, limitation or even extinction. The number of speakers, communication context and large economic blocs of the superpowers and transnational enterprises, determine the main factors of language change. Despite the interest of the more developed nation states in protecting minority languages, the policies of the supranational self-government cause the evolution or cultural and linguistic loss of communities. Of course English is dominant, but few other languages are gaining a greater relevant role in the global communication. English was the international language of communication in last century, but globalization effects are opening new scenarios. The economic and financial relations among different states have facilitated the spread of the most productive countries. The languages of supranational states have assumed a more prominent value in the international relations. In this respect, the global market has developed an identity, a feeling and a consciousness sense, which have interrupted the absolutely cultural and linguistic hegemony of English. Nevertheless Italian and Spanish languages have been affected by an increase of anglicisms. The written interactions between the two Romances languages with English is often manifested with cases of lexical importation or substitutions. In any case, economic globalization and new technologies have intensified contacts. In one hand, they have spread the language and culture of a few populations. In other hand, they have significantly limited their use to the others. As mentioned above, we consider that the spread of a language mostly depends on three factors: 1) The quantitative sizes of human groups, 2) The economic power of the large states and 3) The area in which a language is stated, as a vehicle of communication. With regard to Romance languages, we understand the reasons because Spanish is growing exponentially. To the large number of Spanish speakers, the Hispanic bloc, in terms of human potential and natural resources, and the function of vehicular language in various communicative contexts.