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Kvinikadze Giorgi, Associate professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University E-mail: Giorgi.Kvimkadze@tsu.ge Amiranashvili Nana, Doctor of Philology. Senior Specialist. Office of Academic Process Management Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University E-mail: nana.amiranashvili@tsu.ge
DIFFUSION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE: HISTORICAL AND GEOLINGUISTIC ASPECT
Abstract: the purpose of our work is to emphasize the historical-geographical and social & cultural reasons of globalization of the English language. The paper studies the issues of interrelations of the English language and those global events (colonization, industrialization, globalization), which have directly affected and determined the structure and form of the modern English language.
Keywords: English language, global language, geo-linguistics, diffusion, colonization, globalization, technological achievements.
Introduction
Globalization ideally implies liquidation of borders, uniting, merging of the whole world, rapprochement of cultures, where there will be no national feelings, struggle for national identity, sovereignty, where people will be united and connected by cultural, political and economic conditions. The issue of readiness for association in one world without borders, about degree of readiness of people to refuse their identity and the state sovereignty is still a subject of violent disputes. One component of globalization is a rapprochement of cultures, and a language is a part of the culture that determines the human identity. Language is an important tool of communication. The language factor is important, because language can be not only dividing line between cultures, but also uniting one. Exactly this happened with the English language. From the local language English is becoming the language of globalization, uniting almost the whole world. It is interesting, what has caused the global function of the English language? What is its reason? Various reasons of diffusion of the English language worldwide may be named. These reasons are geographical, historical, and social-cultural. British discoveries and colonization of new lands that caused spreading of the English language are the historic-geographical reasons; industrialization and introduction of new technologies, the Internet, mass-media, television, shooting of films in England and America that caused broadening of functional area of English language are the social-cultural factors. Alongside with diffusion the language changed, got new characteristics in contact with different cultures and languages. The English language
became a part of the process of globalization that captured the Internet. This is a part of the process of globalization, creation of common language, which will unite various cultures and will become a means of communication, understood by all people. The English language has taken up this role.
First of all, we will try to explain the key concepts that will be used in the text. To begin with, it is necessary to interpret the concept of culture. A culture originates from the Latin verb (colo, colavi, colatum, colare) and means service and processing. The word culture is connected with agriculture and land farming, but in that case when a culture is connected with geography and politics, a culture refers to a combination of different characteristics of nations; it is characterized by traditions, moral, language, character, history. The peoples differed from each other by these features.
Each nation has own language, which creates "our" group. Language is a communication in a country and nations differ from each other by this feature (one of many), on the other hand, language can become the uniting factor for nations, to implement the function of rapprochement. Now English combines this function. Since 1887 Esperanto was meant to fulfill the universal function of the so called Lingua franca language, but today the English language has taken up this unfortunate mission; now it is considered as some kind of Lingua franca [2].
As to a dissemination of culture - "diffusion of cultures, it is a spreading of elements of culture from its place of origin. The elements of culture are: ideas, innovations, relations, mindsets". A language is one of elements of culture. The Eng-
lish language expansively diffused, language has extended among the population, from one area to another, so number and a range of people which have accepted this language grew. It is interesting to point out that language changed according to changes of conditions, depending on people (native speakers), with which it contacted.
Exposition of the main material
Influence of other languages on the English language. Modern English now exists not in that kind in which it was initially; English is a set of words, "borrowed" from various languages. Various languages influenced the English language and new words from these languages took root into English and finally became its part; a part of people of the modern world who speaks English, likely does not know, from where these words originated and that they are not genuine primary English words. The English language permanently changed depending on peoples, with whom it contacted; what kind of contacts was - peaceful or military. English was influenced by Latin; there is a list of words, which entered from Latin into English: Ancor-anchor, butere-butter, cealc-chalk, ceas-cheese, cetel-kettle, cycene-kitchen, cirice-church, disc-dish, mil-mile, piper-pepper, pund-pound, sacc-sack, sicol-sickle, straet-street, weall-wall, win-wine etc. [7].
Roots of the English language should be sought on British Isles. Its diffusion and modification begin since the 5th century, when the German-speaking people Angles, Jutes and Saxons moved from Europe to the northern and western Britain (Scotland, the Wales). Angles were from southern Denmark, Jutes from northern Denmark, and Saxons from northwest Germany. They were not the English-speaking people; they talked on a German dialect that became the basis of the English language. So, it is possible to recognize AD500 as the date of beginning of the English language. Celts whom may be named the first people speaking in Indo-European language, have settled in Britain in AD600 [8].
Their influence on the language is prodigious. It is possible to say that creation of Old English language is a merit of these people together with Celts who have passed to the north - to Scotland and to the West - to Ireland. They have influenced creation of the Old English language, which basic part is used till the present day [6].
A role of Norsemen should be noted as well. In the IX century influence of tribes of Vikings on the English language is felt. In 1066 French-speaking Normans conquered England and English language took elements ofthe French language, because the next 300 years French was an official language of England.
Normans were descendants of Vikings. During the invasion of Normans, British migrated to Scotland and spread there the English language [3]. During the period 600-1500 CE considerable influence on the English language had vari-
ous people - Celts, Scandinavians, from which languages the modified forms of the following words have entered into English: Apostol-apostle, casere-caeser, ceaster-city, circul-circle, cometa-comet, maegester - master, paper-paper, tigle-tile etc. From the Celtic language: cumb-combe, brocc-badger etc. From the Scandinavian: anger, blight, cake, call, egg, ger, give, hit, husband, kill, law, low, raise, seat, skill, them, their, ugly, want, window, etc.
When the French language dominated and became an official language, influence of this language is especially marked, because in comparison with other languages many words entered into the English language from French: country, crime, chapter, baron, count, prince, princess, army, artillery, battle, captain, company, boil, butcher, roast, dance, diamond, fashion, proud, courage, chance male, female, mirror, regard, and etc. [7].
During the mentioned period other peoples also influenced the English language. The listed words are only a part of those words, which entered into English from other languages; that is the proof that English was formed on a long basis and not without influence of other languages.
The British colonization, industrialization and diffusion of the English language. Let's follow a chronology: in the 17-18th centuries a diffusion of the English language was determined by the British colonialism, when England began to govern in various parts of the world. In the end of 18 th and in the beginning of 19th century diffusion of the English language was determined by the industrial revolution in Britain. Britain became the leader, the leading country, whose technologies have been spread in the world, and the language also spread together with technology. At the next turn of the century a diffusion of the English language has been determined already by the leadership of the American policy and economy. America became the country-hegemon, where the freedom of speech and the ideas based on citizenship and individualism became an example to the rest of world. Together with ideas the English language has spread worldwide, taking the form of global language. This language has destroyed borders of the greater part of the world andhas penetrated into almost all countries by different ways; hereinafter we will talk about this.
Since the 16th century a diffusion of English language was determined by the British colonialism, when Britain has begun expansion. It is necessary to note a role ofJames Cook; his three travels have opened ways for future colonization. The English language has spread in the Southern hemisphere, in Southern Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand. In the periods of colonization the French, Spanish and Latin languages had possibilities to become global languages, but with no success. The industrial revolution that has occurred in Britain andtrans-formed Britain into the leading country and an example to follow has helped England to implement this mission [5]. Since
1530 France dominated in Canada that resulted in adversarial relationships between France and Britain. Eventually Britain was victorious that has determined domination of the English language, though for certain time both languages - English and French were official in Canada. English has gradually replaced the French language, but in Quebec French remained a spoken language. At that time the following words have been included from the French language: ballet, champagne, chic, salon, rouge, shock, jean (s) and others [7].
The British colonies have been planted in the North America, Jamestown, Virginia in 1607 and Plymouth in 1620; since this period an early variant of the modern English language has arisen. By 1600 Irish migrants settled in America, by 1720 the big stream of Irish and Scots - 50000 migrants - have made settlements in America. In the 18thcen-tury because of hunger, revolution and poverty migrants from Europe migrated to America; by 1880 the European Jews arrived to America. These events have determined a diffusion of the English language. As to Canada, the first contact with the English language has occurred in 1497, when John Cabot has reached Newfoundland, but only a century later Englishmen made settlements in these places after a war with Frenchmen who held these places earlier [3].
Since the times of Elizabeth I (1558) till the time of Elizabeth II (1952) the number of English-speaking people increased from 5-7 million to 150 million; by 1558 people living on the British island were mainly talking in English, gradually this language has crossed the border of the Island of Britain. The new people talking in English were mainly from the North America [5]. Britain has planted a colony in the northern part of southern America, the former German colony Guyana became British, as well as Belize also known as the British Honduras, which was the Spanish colony [6].
During this period the Spanish language influenced the English language. Just from Spanish the following words entered: barricade, canyon, guitar, mesa, tornado and etc. In this period words come also from Italian: casino, piano, opera, studio, viola, and from German: avast, bow, pump, yacht and etc. [7]. Although some roots of these words are Latin.
The Caribbean countries where the Spanish and English languages are official languages also became the British colony. Diffusion of the English language to Australia is interesting. In 1770James Cook has arrived to Australia; within 20 years Britain has established a colony in Sydney and was sending there prisoners from the British prisons. During 50 years 130000 prisoners have been sent to Australia; by 1900 4 million inhabitants were from the British island. The relations between local people and newcomers have affected the language, new words arose; together with new words the English language has spread in Australia, and also in New Zealand,
which became an official colony in 1840, by 1900 a quarter of million inhabitants talked English. Cook has discovered this island in 1770, and it was mainly populated by merchants. Since 1840 the number of migrants has increased [3].
South Africa (conquered in 1800 by England) that earlier was the German colony, also is an area of diffusion of the English language. Since 1822 English became an official language and respectively the number of people, knowing English, has increased [4]. The English language also is actively used in public sector. This language was in Africa the language of law, education and always was the second language; now there are 11 official languages in Africa. East Africa, Kenya has been captured by Britain in 1800; enormous quantities of merchants visited the country and promoted diffusion of the language to various countries of Africa. Since 1880 as soon as Britain has acquired a control over the North Africa and Central Asia, the English language has spread in Egypt and in Sudan, which turned out to be under the governance of Britain.
Diffusion of English to Southeast Asia, in Penang, Malacca and Singapore was promoted by their trading and strategic location for Britain. The reason of diffusion of English on islands in Pacific Ocean was the fact that American and British ships refueled on these islands [6]. Since 1600 Britain entered into relations with South Asia where 1/5 part of all population lives, when the British East India Company has been established. This place was the trading territory at the time of Elizabeth I. The first trading place has arisen in 1612 in Surat, and then in Madras, in Bombay and in Calcutta. Britain controlled these territories from 1765 till 1947, the year of independence [3]. English was an official language in six countries of the western Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana). 40 million English-speaking persons live in southern Asia; it ranks third after America and Britain. Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe also were the colonies of Britain.
Globalization of English language. Churchill said that diffusion of the English language is a merit of English explorers and colonists. The language, on which talked only inhabitants of one island became general language and expanded all over the world. At first nobody could imagine that English will become the global language [5]. What has caused globalization of the English language? There are a lot of reasons for it; colonization is one of them that were an expression of diffusion. Diffusion of the English language to colonies also promoted its world diffusion; the language underwent changes at contacts with various cultures. Diffusion is a process of geographical spreading, and globalization is a result of diffusion of the language, including not only territorial conquests, but also results of other processes that have been considered above. In
English language there is up to 500000 words, therefore there is a large number of phraseological units. Language which can be a symbol of ethnic identity also can become uniting the whole world, liquidating borders between the states [9].
For 375 million persons English is a native language, and for 750 million persons English is the second language. This fact proves that English is becoming the universal language [11]. There are some reasons on which scientists have concurred, recognizing English as the global language. 1) First of all, it is necessary to note a role of those countries where talked in English and that were the leading countries from the military and political points of view; we should not forget a role of Britain and later a role of America which to this day keeps a role of superpower [2]. England was the leading country in industry and who wanted to catch up with England and to become familiar with technical innovations was to know English language. Britain kept leadership from political, economic and industrial points of view. Industrial revolution that occurred in the sixties of the 18th century is related to England, production extended, processing of cotton begun, Englishman James Hargreaves has invented the mechanism, so called spinning jenny; it was followed by the mechanical knitting tool; factories working on a steam power were constructed; a steam locomotive has been invented and the first railway road has connected Manchester with Liverpool, the mechanical engineering and metallurgical manufacture developed. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries America became a superpower from the economic and political point of view;
it is necessary to note that in 1980-90th America played a role of the leader from the technological point of view [4]; 2) The second reason is existence of scientific researches and literature in English, the world literature is being published in English and a literature translated into this language also becomes popular. Today, for a science, students, pupils the knowledge of English becomes obligatory because the basic literature is being created in this language; in order to reach successes in scientific sphere, to be familiarized with modern information worldwide is possible with knowledge of the English language; 3) The third reason is mass media: the television, radio, magazines, newspapers existing in English, facilitates receiving of information by people; 4) In the modern world the Internet is the main thing, which is the best means of online collaboration of people, communication, search of information - and English is the main language there; 5) Cin-
ema and music. The majority of film studios, about 90%, are English-speaking, 99% of musical groups become popular if they are English-speaking [2]. Invention of telegraph, phone, radio, television, cinema, and computer has determined diffusion of the English language. These technologies became the propagator of language and there was no need in colonization, travel of people [5]. Studying of English became obligatory for those to whom English is not a native language. At schools children learn English in order to develop professionally in future; during travels there will be no problems for those who knows English, because in hotels, restaurants, in any other place attendants talk in English and communication do not become complicated. The convenient environment is created; readily available conditions for people studying the English language; media, schools, libraries, universities provide these conditions [3].
Diffusion of technological data, the scientific literature, achievements of cinema and music, news media in different languages would be inconvenient; therefore, it was necessary to expand one language. Each person needs knowledge of English that gives priority in job searches. The transnational companies, opening the branches in other countries, employ people with knowledge of English therefore the local population is interested in studying of English [10].
Conclusion
Thus, Globalization promoted development of the English language because it helps to expand technological achievements, information worldwide; people in every country have access to them. But globalization has also a negative result. Some scientists estimate globalization as the American expansion and the western imperialism. In the nationalist countries globalization is unacceptable; they think that globalization and blurring of borders will infringe their identity, traditions, and their values. They say that the western literature does not consider a socio-cultural context, for example, it is the literature which is not adapted to Islamic traditions [1].
The English language is a good example of diffusion, how language can expand and to get new elements during contacts with different peoples. As we have already noted, the British colonialism has helped diffusion of the English language, as well as industrialism and technological achievements of America of the last 50 years, the Internet, mass-media, transnational companies, collectively caused the language globalization.
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