Is English really that Cool?

There is no denying that English is becoming more of a global language as everyday passes.  According to Rob Burton’s book “Artists of the Floating World,” a unique language of this world is lost forever every two weeks.  However, I have heard that the rate at which our worlds languages are disappearing is increasing.  I believe this is due to the recent boom of technology and globalization.  I believe that once the trend of globalization started in the mid 1980’s, we began to really see the decline in use of unique languages in honor of more “globalized” languages such as English.   

The main argument in my mind is whether a global language, such as English, would be good or bad for the world.  Its hard to imagine a world where you could travel to an exotic location and not have to worry about any type of language barrier.  Although this may make things much easier, I think it would almost make traveling a bit more boring.  I have traveled all around the world, and its an adventure to navigate in a foreign place where even asking for simple directions can be a challenge.  I think traveling abroad is one of the best ways to see how powerful a language English has become.  In most of the countries I have been too, signs are often wrote in the native language as well as English. 

Tourism has always been a driving force for people to learn English, but I don’t think it has been as powerful or effective as technology.  I believe the internet boom of the recent years has been the most influential event in regards to the losing of unique global languages. 

Although I think that the assimilation of all languages besides languages has its advantages, I think the loss of cultural would be irreversible.  If everyone spoke English, global business, as well as foreign policy would all go smoother, but I don’t think these are just sacrifices for the amount of culture that we are losing everyday.  I think it would be good if people could learn English as well as their native language, however I don’t see that happening either because that would require a lot of time that people simply do not have.  Although I am firmly against the globalization of English, I think that as everyday progresses, we get closer to this result, and that eventually this ugly truth will be realized.