Abstract
ABSTRACT: The role of English as an international language has engendered considerable debate recently [e.g. Kaplan (1983a) Science, technology, language and information; Kaplan (1983b) Science, 221, 4614; Quirk (1985) in English in the World (edited by R. Quirk and H. Widdowson), pp. 1–6; Bailey (1983) in Literacy for Life (edited by R. W. Bailey and R. Fisheim), pp. 30–44; and Bailey (1987) Resistance to the spread of English]. In this paper it is argued that English is the major international language at least in part because it is the dominant world language of science and technology. In particular, its role in information access and technology transfer is a major explanation for the rise of English world‐wide. Evidence is presented both to support English as the international language of science and technology and to explain its essential role in information access globally. Implications of the analysis are discussed for English language teaching as well as for the role of language in future information access systems. The arguments presented suggest that no country can afford to ignore the important role English plays in information access and technology transfer and still expect to compete professionally and economically.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 63-72 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | World Englishes |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1988 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
- Sociology and Political Science
- Anthropology
Cite this
English, information access, and technology transfer : a rationale for English as an international language. / Grabe, William P.
In: World Englishes, Vol. 7, No. 1, 1988, p. 63-72.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - English, information access, and technology transfer
T2 - a rationale for English as an international language
AU - Grabe, William P
PY - 1988
Y1 - 1988
N2 - ABSTRACT: The role of English as an international language has engendered considerable debate recently [e.g. Kaplan (1983a) Science, technology, language and information; Kaplan (1983b) Science, 221, 4614; Quirk (1985) in English in the World (edited by R. Quirk and H. Widdowson), pp. 1–6; Bailey (1983) in Literacy for Life (edited by R. W. Bailey and R. Fisheim), pp. 30–44; and Bailey (1987) Resistance to the spread of English]. In this paper it is argued that English is the major international language at least in part because it is the dominant world language of science and technology. In particular, its role in information access and technology transfer is a major explanation for the rise of English world‐wide. Evidence is presented both to support English as the international language of science and technology and to explain its essential role in information access globally. Implications of the analysis are discussed for English language teaching as well as for the role of language in future information access systems. The arguments presented suggest that no country can afford to ignore the important role English plays in information access and technology transfer and still expect to compete professionally and economically.
AB - ABSTRACT: The role of English as an international language has engendered considerable debate recently [e.g. Kaplan (1983a) Science, technology, language and information; Kaplan (1983b) Science, 221, 4614; Quirk (1985) in English in the World (edited by R. Quirk and H. Widdowson), pp. 1–6; Bailey (1983) in Literacy for Life (edited by R. W. Bailey and R. Fisheim), pp. 30–44; and Bailey (1987) Resistance to the spread of English]. In this paper it is argued that English is the major international language at least in part because it is the dominant world language of science and technology. In particular, its role in information access and technology transfer is a major explanation for the rise of English world‐wide. Evidence is presented both to support English as the international language of science and technology and to explain its essential role in information access globally. Implications of the analysis are discussed for English language teaching as well as for the role of language in future information access systems. The arguments presented suggest that no country can afford to ignore the important role English plays in information access and technology transfer and still expect to compete professionally and economically.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-971X.1988.tb00215.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-971X.1988.tb00215.x
M3 - Article
VL - 7
SP - 63
EP - 72
JO - World Englishes
JF - World Englishes
SN - 0883-2919
IS - 1
ER -