March, 2015
Globalization
Globe with communication lines
Photo courtesy of http://video.pbs.org/video/2220825794/
In this issue...
Globalization is the process of
international integration arising
from the interchange of world views,
products, ideas, and other aspects of
culture. Advances in transportation
and telecommunication infrastructure,
including the rise of the Internet, are
major factors in globalization, generating
NLSC Director Bill Castan
further interdependence of economic and
cultural activities. In this issue of The Language Compass,
we will focus on how globalization affects the Members of the
NLSC, our country, and the world.
“Technology and Globalization:
Harmony or Homogeny?”
-Nathan Gwira
NLSC Facts
“English in a Spanish-Speaking
Land”
-Chelsea St. Onge-May
“Esperanto: the Language of
Global Unification”
-Sydney Hodges
The NLSC is a fabric of individuals who exemplify
effectiveness through interdependence. If you look at the
NLSC logo, you see that the darker threads represent a strong
underlying structure or foundation, while the additional
colors of the pattern connote diversity, culture, and language.
The individual threads are fragile on their own, but as the
NLSC grows and weaves in new threads—new Members, new
languages, and new skill sets—the fabric of the organization
strengthens. The final weave symbolizes strength through
unity.
“National Volunteer Week”
-Ryan Hampton
“Meet the NLSC New York
Regional Chapter Coordinator!”
-Sayyid Tirmizi
“Globalization Leads to
Acceptance and Appreciation”
-Virginia Foster
There is great importance in embracing this era of
globalization, while at the same time maintaining our
individual cultures and languages. These are the things that
stretch the fabric and test its strength, or identify areas in need
of reinforcement.
“A Two-Way Street”
-Adil Jabry
“Mixing Bowl or Melting Pot”
-Thiyani Miltner
Consider the different periods of intense globalization in the
history of the world—not just the shift in balance in terms
of power and culture, but also the benefits it has yielded
throughout the ages. How might your membership in the
NLSC contribute to positive world growth and change? What
does global culture look like? How do we, as NLSC Members,
participate and become a part of the larger shift that is
globalization?
“Quiero un Sandwich: English
and Spanish Side by Side”
-Stella Ramírez
“Effects of Globalization on the
German Language”
The very fabric of the NLSC is built on the unquestionably
vital threads of individuals and their respective cultures,
languages, and experiences that together form an enduring
bond. It is in our own globalized strength that we continue to
provide language and cultural support to agencies across the
US Government through our service, integrity, and dedication.
The NLSC provides opportunities to its Members to volunteer
and serve, and our Members continually rise to the challenge.
Member Benefit:
Working Advantage
Membership with the NLSC has
many advantages and benefits! One
of these perks is access to Working
Advantage, a rewards program
that offers discounts on dining,
entertainment, online shopping,
travel, and more! Please contact
your Member Support Liaison for
more details on how to access this
money-saving benefit!
Thank you to all who have joined the NLSC and continue to
serve and promote language for the good of all!®
Bill Castan
Staff Program Director,
National Language Service Corps
Technology and Globalization: Harmony or Homogeny?
By Nathan Gwira
Technology Infographic
Photo courtesy of http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/globe-with-chart-papers-photo-p256104
Nathan Gwira currently works as an interpreter at the Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, French, English, and three
Ghanaian languages. He is co-founder of the Think Different Mentoring
Program as well as Iron Dragon Corporation. Originally from Burlington
County, he remains there as a volunteer mentor to empower the youth of his
community. Nathan has been a Member of the NLSC since June 2014.
NLSC Member Nathan Gwira
Can you imagine a world without Wikipedia, Gmail, Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MeetUp,
iPhone, or iPad? All these tools of information have shrunk the world into a global village. Both BBC
and Money CNN news recently reported that Apple made a profit of $18 billion, the biggest profit in
corporate history. Could there be a correlation between the world’s second most profitable company and
its tech-savvy consumers? Perhaps globalization is a wonderful idea if companies like Apple Inc. can
exceed profit margins by winning customers from all corners of the earth.
Corporations certainly are not the only ones benefiting from the recent global bridges between
multicultural backgrounds. Within seconds, it is possible to communicate with a friend in Shanghai, or
banter with another comrade in a remote town across the Atlantic Ocean. My abiding memories recall
the 1990s when people wrote telegrams to people overseas during emergencies.
In contrast to the benefits of globalization, many languages are losing their flavor of originality. Foreign
languages like Twi and Fante (originating from Ghana) have adopted many English words, making
it a formidable task to speak without using three or four English words in a sentence. This may be a
good way to standardize a language; however, it also dilutes the potency of the unique lexical features
that local languages once had. Learning to communicate between different cultures should not be
standardized. It would be more beneficial if individuals learn how to express themselves in several
different languages.
Globalization brings cultures together. At the same time, it manages to shift cultures from their
indigenous roots. Nonetheless, it is important to embrace diversity and become more acquainted with
our rapidly increasing multicultural society. In my opinion, an assertive approach of cultivating healthy
multinational relationships is imperative to creating a sustainable future for the world. Whether there
will be peace or another world war depends on our cultural sensitivity as globalization continues.
Most importantly, I believe globalization is not only relevant within the global market, it is likewise
crucial in our mundane interactions with others. It plays an integral role in avoiding the risk of conflict.
I am moderately hopeful that we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with one another and
continue to increase the benefits of globalization.
English in a Spanish-Speaking Land
By Chelsea St. Onge-May
NLSC Facts:
We have Members in all
50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, as
well as 37 countries, and five
territories.
We have over 5,700 Members,
representing 320 languages in
our membership.
Members have supported
federal agencies in 95
assignments and 47 different
languages.
We have…
1067 Facebook fans
5171 Twitter followers
832 LinkedIn group Members
166 Washington, D.C. Chapter
Members
26 New York Chapter
Members
51 Los Angeles Chapter
Members
28 Hawai'i Chapter Members
On Facebook? Don’t forget
to join us for the latest in
NLSC news, benefits, and
discussions.
Members-only group (open to
entire membership)
https://www.facebook.com/
mynlsc
The following Chapters are
reserved for Members in these
areas:
Washington, D.C. Regional
Chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/238184543020935/
Los Angeles Regional Chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/715028348528835/
Hawaii Regional Chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/238901439630385/
The NY Regional Chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/305449632992100/
Global Eats
By Rose Ham
NLSC Member
Chelsea St. Onge-May
Chelsea St. Onge-May works for Boston
University’s Office of Study Abroad. She
received her Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees from the George Washington
University, and she fills her suitcase with
new French books every time she travels
to Canada. Chelsea has been a Member
of the NLSC since October 2014.
One of the first questions I ask new students is, “Do you
have any second language skills?” Generally this comes up in
reference to career development. Here in Washington, D.C.,
where international diplomacy often collides with the cultures
of vibrant immigrant communities, second language skills
can be the key to building early professional connections after
graduation.
Happily for me, as a firm believer in bilingualism, the answer
is frequently “yes.” College students today are impressive. They
speak Arabic, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, and American Sign
Language. Some branch out into more languages, using free
smartphone apps to dabble in German, Korean, Navajo, and
Hebrew. Others grew up speaking Spanish at home or took
Japanese in high school, and they do their best to keep those
skills polished.
Bilingualism, where it exists, shapes students into better
learners and thinkers. First, the very act of using multiple
languages fosters intellectual dexterity. The differing structures
of languages allow students to develop their thoughts using
twice the descriptors to intensify (or moderate) their intended
emphasis, and an extra set of ways to describe action, past, and
future. Best of all is the snowball effect: students who speak two
languages are often able to add third, fourth, and fifth languages
with relative ease.
Second, the inevitable cultural appreciation that stems from
bilingualism creates radical change in the way students
think about other people. Exposure to new cultures and their
dialects teaches students to be savvier, more thoughtful, and
more compassionate. For those reasons, students aspiring to
bilingualism do well to learn languages in immersive cultural
settings for an extended period of time—living, working, and
studying as their new neighbors do. That firsthand exposure
teaches language in the context of its original culture rather than
solely as minority practice within a dominant society. Learners
who become bilingual simultaneously become bicultural.
These students are beginning to change higher education as a
whole. They are able to consume global social media with ease,
understanding subtle references and historical frameworks. As
such, they usually possess a more instinctive understanding of
the complexity of international events.
They can move between social circles fluidly and challenge
faculty, staff, and their peers in higher education to think more
critically and creatively. While many of them are destined for
impressive careers—sometimes courtesy of their language
skills—bilingual students, in any classroom and any program, are
tremendous assets to any university.
The World is Flat Again
By Aleks Yakubson
Via the Internet, people
continue to learn how other
people in different countries
live their lives, so people
all over the world end up
forming the same thoughts,
opinions, and ideas about the
same subject. Food is one of
the most common examples
of this phenomenon.
Brands like McDonalds,
Burger King, Coca-Cola,
and many others are simply
understood by their English
names in other countries
because the products
are easily identifiable to
people; creating their own
language’s equivalent is
often unnecessary. As a food
or brand becomes recognized
globally, everyone uses the
same words to refer to it.
For example, kimchi is a
well-known Korean dish
that many people from other
countries enjoy in their local
Korean restaurants—it is
not referred to as “pickled
cabbage” or by any name
other than kimchi.
Ten years ago, Thomas
Friedman wrote a book
titled The World is Flat.
His meaning, of course, was
figural. Globalization has
brought nations, countries,
and races together, as if on
one ‘board,’ standardizing
language, clothing, and
lifestyle, while at the same
time allowing others to learn
about different inventions
and accomplishments from
around the world. When
people speak the same
language, not only in terms
of speech, but also in ideas
and practices, it’s easy to
make the world ‘flat,’ in a
positive sense.
Photo courtesy of http://pixelperfectdigital.
com/photo/184/stack-of-books.html
Puerto Rico
By Jose Alvelo
Globalization can affect
culture and language, and
when one culture is exposed
to another, changes are
inevitable, for better or
for worse. Puerto Rico has
adopted certain customs
from the United States,
including celebrating
some U.S. holidays such
as Independence Day, or
taking a liking to American
Football, a sport that’s
not often played over
here but that people love
to watch. Language has
been affected as well, a
consequence of having two
main languages. However,
one of the more interesting
things is no matter how
much the United States
has affected some parts of
our cultures, other parts
have stayed unchangeable,
such as using Spanish
more often than English,
cooking traditional Puerto
Rican foods, or celebrating
holidays that are not
found in the United States.
Globalization can affect us,
but that shouldn’t mean
surrendering our cultural
identity in the process.
Esperanto: the Language of Global Unification
By Sydney Hodges
Esperanto flag
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008_uk_flagoj.JPG
Among the multitude of sources behind the globalization of our world, perhaps
the greatest engine powering our increasing connectivity is that of the human
mind—not just its capacity for innovation, but the motivations behind such
innovations. The desire to connect with others is an ingrained trait that humans
share. When that inherent quality is met with a yearning for peace, and a drive
to create a practical means of attaining such an ideal, surprising things can
happen. For an example of this intersection of humanistic ideal and practical
innovation, we need look no further than Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof and his constructed language, Esperanto.
NLSC Staff Sydney Hodges
Growing up in Białystok, Poland, during a time of political and social tension, Zamenhof longed for a
world without hate, prejudice, or violent conflict. He attributed these issues to the absence of a common
language, and believed that a unifying language would lessen the misunderstandings that so often led to
the world’s conflicts.
Zamenhof set about creating such a language as a young student. While working under the pseudonym
“Doktoro Esperanto,” he spent the late 1870s and early 1880s developing his “Lingvo internacia,”
an international language intended to unite people of varying linguistic backgrounds. “Esperanto”
translates to “one who hopes,” and what Zamenhof ultimately hoped for was world peace via a language
that everyone could speak, regardless of creed or culture.
Today, Esperanto is regarded as the most successful constructed language, boasting thousands of
speakers all over the world from countless linguistic and cultural backgrounds. While the precise
number of speakers worldwide is unknown, each year, several thousand gather to share their
enthusiasm for the language, communicating with one another where they otherwise could not.
While Esperanto is not currently recognized as an official language, there is no doubt that it has enabled
enough connections between far-flung people to have become its own community, perhaps even its own
unique “floating culture,” forged by the intersection of a multitude of cultures. Its green and white flag
represents a community of speakers that is nowhere and everywhere all at once.
Zamenhof’s goals for Esperanto may have proven to be overly idealistic—war, hate, injustice, and
violence have shown no signs of disappearing completely from human civilization. However, if we
consider the role that Esperanto has played in bringing people together and thus facilitating the
exchange of varying worldviews, perhaps Zamenhof’s vision of a more connected world was not so far off
the mark.
National Volunteer Week
By NLSC Staff Ryan Hampton
In honor of National Volunteer Week in April, the National
Language Service Corps (NLSC) would like to show our
appreciation and recognition to all of our on-call volunteers.
It is through your generosity and service that we are able
to bridge gaps, build new relationships, and create new
opportunities to support others across the globe.
Celebrate Service, the theme for National Volunteer Week,
recognizes the people who sacrifice and devote themselves,
their time, and their skills in good faith to initiate change. By
Logo courtesy of http://www.pointsoflight.org/
working together, we make an impossible mission possible by
meeting challenges and accomplishing goals. As President Barack Obama states, “There is no one who
can’t serve, nobody who can’t help somebody else.”
We encourage you to continue acts of service during National Volunteer Week, which will be observed
April 12-18, 2015. During this week, we ask that you volunteer your language skills in service to others
and we encourage you to share your experience with us to be featured in the next issue of The Language
Compass. Please send a summary of your experience along with photos to
[email protected] by Friday, April 24, 2015.
For more opportunities and ideas, visit www.serve.gov, www.volunteer.gov, or check our Members-Only
Facebook group for suggestions from other NLSC Members.
Again, we would like to thank all of our on-call volunteers for your willingness to volunteer and serve
your community.
Meet the NLSC’s New York Regional
Chapter Coordinator!
I am a native Hindi speaker and have been a Member
of the NLSC since 2010. I earned my Master’s degree
in History and Business Management. As an educator,
I have taught in universities and colleges in the US and
abroad, including The City College of New York. As a
trainer, certified career coach, and volunteer coordinator,
I have training experience in career development and
non-profit organizations. I am also an AmeriCorps and
NYC Civic Corps member, and have already volunteered
over 400 hours using my language and other skills to
serve non-profit organizations and communities in New
York State.
As the newest Chapter Coordinator of the NLSC, I will use
my education, training, experience, and networks to bring
the New York Regional Chapter area Members together to
develop and share our language skills and diverse cultural
backgrounds. In the process, we will become a dynamic
part of the larger, nation-wide NLSC community. I am
excited to be a resource for our Regional Chapter and
to share the energy of NLSC Members in the Big Apple
who are committed to using language for the good of
all!®
NLSC Staff Sayyid Tirmizi
My name is Sayyid Tirmizi, and I am
delighted to be the first NLSC New York
Regional Chapter Coordinator. In this
role, I am privileged to bring a diversity
of experiences to serve NLSC Members
in the organization’s fourth regional
chapter.
I was born in India, a country with a
rich cultural heritage and known as
the world’s largest democracy. All of
the major religions of the world are
represented in India, as well as twentytwo official languages, of which I
speak four. I have also traveled to over
twelve countries and stayed on three
continents: Asia, Europe, and North
America. Now I live in New York, the
cultural capital of the world—a city
with more than 3 million foreign-born
residents from countries the world over
and speaking as many languages.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of others.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
National Language Service Corps New York Regional Chapter launch
Photo courtesy of the NLSC
Globalization Leads to Acceptance and Appreciation
By Virginia Foster
Panama City, Panama
Photo courtesy of http://www.viator.com/Panama-City/d950-ttd
Virginia Foster is a native of Panama. Her mother’s parents were Colombian
and her father’s parents were from Jamaica. Her grandparents both worked
on the Panama Canal. She was introduced at a young age to all types of
cuisine and cultures, and since then, has remained open to different cultures.
Virginia has been a Member of the NLSC since August 2014.
NLSC Member Virginia Foster
Globalization has affected my world in many ways. I am a native of Panama, a country in Central
America where globalization can be said to have begun a century ago. During my childhood in
Panama, I grew up in a bilingual (Spanish/English) household, with Spanish being my main language.
After graduating from high school in 1972, I relocated to the US and soon realized that most of my
English derived from British English—a lot of the words I used to describe basic items were different
in the US. I had to adjust and learn American English terms; in a way, I was relearning English as I
navigated distinctions such as “purse” versus “pocket book.”
When it comes to globalization and how it affects languages, I believe that more people are becoming
multilingual. The United States has done a great job in spreading the English language around the
globe, which has opened up communication immensely; however, this is only the beginning of people
coming together to understand and embrace different languages and cultures.
Globalization and interaction with other nations can only enrich language because it opens us up to
respecting others and their cultures. It also makes us more tolerant and accepting of others. Since
ancient times, indigenous communities occupying the same region communicated and traded with
each other while retaining their dialects and traditions.
In a global world, culture refers to customs and social practices among groups of people, and these
practices appear to be different from others; however, globalization can bring cultures together,
making the world appear smaller and opening us to more unity, while teaching us that diversity is OK.
Globalization does not mean Americanization, it just means that we are becoming more accepting of
each other’s cultures and languages.
A Two-Way Street
Mixing Bowl or Melting Pot
By Adil Jabry
NLSC Member
Adil
Jabry
By Thiyani Miltner
Adil Jabry grew up in a family
of four. In 1993, he graduated
from high school and left for
Spain to study engineering.
In 2001, after graduating
from business school, he came
to America for his graduate
degree, where he met his wife.
He has been a Member of the NLSC since August 2014.
Globalization has impacted the lives of all
men and women in the twenty-first century.
Regardless of whether we notice it or not, there
are many changes in the world around us. Some
of these changes can be good and bring benefits
to society, while others can have a severe impact
on cultures. These changes are more obvious
in developing countries, and many of these
countries have opened their markets, societies,
and cultures to the western powers, mainly the
United States of America.
For instance, Morocco, where I am originally
from, has always been open to western cultures,
namely the neighboring countries of Spain and
France, who colonized Morocco during the first
half of the last century. However, in the last
twenty years, the country has also opened up
to American culture, thanks to the Internet.
It started with the introduction of English in
several schools’ curricula, in addition to French
and Spanish, in an effort to prepare the next
generation of businessmen and engineers for
the global market. Next, there was an increasing
demand for American TV shows and channels
such as MTV, CNN, and FOX. With more youth
being exposed to the World Wide Web, a few
English words made it into the Moroccan dialect.
Today, there are more American multinationals
established in Morocco than 20 years ago, and
there are more English-speaking Moroccans than
a decade ago.
I think all these changes are bringing cultures
together. Even in America, we can see an
increase in exposure to Moroccan culture. From
beauty products such as Moroccan argan oil to
Moroccan architecture and design to exquisite
Moroccan cuisine, more Americans know about
Morocco. In this case, it was a mutual exchange
of cultures, making both cultures richer and
more diversified. This is not always the case in
other countries, but Morocco is an excellent
example of an open society where cultures
interchange and coexist, thanks to the tolerance
of its people.
NLSC Member
Thiyani Miltner
Thiyani Miltner is an Adjunct
Professor at the Defense
Critical Language and Cultural
Program (DCLCP) at the
University of Montana. She
works as a Lead Indonesian
Instructor. She is a native
speaker of the Indonesian
language and has been a
Member of the NLSC since 2011.
In my native language Indonesian, many words
such as komputer, radio, and telepon are clearly
derived from English. These words or vocabulary
are known as cognates. The use of cognates
has been incorporated into Indonesian society
and culture, with the meaning of those words
still rooted in the language they come from—
English. I know that other languages like French
try to invent their own vocabulary for new
inventions in technology, such as climatiseur
(air conditioner), courriél/courrier électronique
(e-mail), ordinateur (computer), and so forth.
Indonesians have started doing the same when it
comes to “Indonesian-izing” foreign words, such
as mengunduh (to download), mengunggah (to
upload), daring (Internet), and peretas (hacker).
However, for common people in Indonesia, these
new “Indonesianized” words are rarely used,
except for in formal contexts such as in journals
or other academic publications.
The wide range of understanding about
globalization encourages the use of multiple
languages around the world. The use of a variety
of languages supports the integration and
interchange of different views. Globalization calls
for many people to study other languages in an
effort to create cultural awareness. As part of the
culture, language has a significant role in uniting
diverse communities.
As a foreign language instructor, I cannot
emphasize enough how language holds an
important role in furthering globalization. In
teaching Indonesian, I am not only helping my
students to bridge the gap between American
and Indonesian cultures, but contributing to the
larger goal of globalization. Globalization calls
for more people to be multilingual.
In conclusion, I do not think that globalization
means Americanization. Though I must admit
that America has had a tremendous impact on
the modernization of many cultures, the core
of each nation’s individual cultural identity has
remained resilient to such influence.
Quiero un Sandwich: English and Spanish Side by Side
“Spanglish” clip art
By Stella Ramírez
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/131495498@N07/16964506306/
Stella Ramírez is an academic coach, professor, writer, and editor. She received her BA in English
Literature and MAEE at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. She recently collaborated and
published work with the “Niños y Jóvenes en Acción” project, which integrates community servicebased learning experiences with school curriculums. Stella has been a Member of the NLSC since 2012.
Not so long ago, a group of students from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico claimed that English “atrophies the
mother tongue in an exaggerated way” when it is combined with Spanish, thus creating a “delicious
sancocho for the enjoyment of new speech therapists.” These claims, made by a 17-year-old student,
were published in what is arguably Puerto Rico’s most popular newspaper, El Nuevo Día. The student
also stated, “a child grows up without dominating either of the two languages” and that “most of these
children end up at the speech therapist.”
Puerto Rico has an interesting relationship with the English language. Although the island claims to be
bilingual, the truth is that most locals struggle with English. There is little incentive outside of school
to actively use the language. There is also the added political tension regarding its use. Many still see
English as la lengua del invasor, the invader’s language, in a “Spanish land.” However, Puerto Rican
Spanish frequently uses English words when a Spanish word will do. Ordering at a local deli or fast food?
People do not say emparedado. They say sandwich. Instead of saying impresora, they say printer. In fact,
when trying to use the word emparedado most people did not know what I meant. “What is that?” they
would say. “We only sell sandwiches here.”
So, how does this happen? Most of the media consumed on the island comes from the United States.
Stateside TV shows, music, and movies, among others, are usually consumed over media from Spain or
the Dominican Republic, though the latter is slowly gaining popularity.
Puerto Rican Spanish is undergoing a series of changes due to the increasing use of English words, or
anglicismos. This is a great example of language’s ever-evolving nature. It continually grows and morphs
due to internal and external influences. Furthermore, while many people complain that the inclusion of
English words in everyday Spanish language is “destroying” the “mother tongue,” this actually helps with
the development of English as a Second Language. Even when using them to communicate in Spanish,
students expand their English vocabulary. Frequently, teaching English means helping these students
discover this and helping them create connections between the use of these words in Spanish and their
correct use in English. It is more a matter of making connections instead of building up a vocabulary
from scratch.
Independent Moldova
By Olesea Ho
The concept of globalization is not new and
has, in fact, been in process since ancient
times. If we examine history, we can see
changes throughout different eras that
reflect how globalization has influenced
the world. I was about five years old when
Moldova gained independence from the
Soviet Union. Consciously or unconsciously,
people contributed to a deeper cultural
involvement of America in our land. The
fashion, pop culture, and language became a
part of our new society. At schools, children
were introduced to English, people started
to travel freely, and they also began to use
technology more frequently. Globalization
influenced almost every aspect of our
daily lives, including our language. But
learning another language often brings an
appreciation of other cultures and peoples.
Image of Moldova countryside
Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moldova.jpg
Global Langauge
By Sami Al-Matari
As a result of globalization and the Internet,
more English words have been added to
Modern Standard Arabic than in the past 1,000
years, especially words related to medicine,
science, and communication: MRI, X-ray,
satellite dish, missed call, and hello. Many
young Arabs are using emoticons and slang
acronyms, such as LOL (“laugh out loud”) and
BFF (“best friend forever”). Globalization is
not a one-way street, though. Many Americans
are familiar with words like humus, babghnoje,
falafel, and shih. Hookah smoking shops are
even opening in many cities across the United
States! Yes, it is possible that the current
dominance of American culture through the
media and Internet is contributing more slang
to the Arabic language; but the trend seems to
be reciprocal.
Technology
By Simon Pashkovsky
The process of globalization somehow brings
homogeny to interdependence of economic
and cultural activities on a large scale. It
does have an impact on language in terms
of communicating between cultures, and it
definitely does not mean “Americanization.”
The advances in transportation and
telecommunications infrastructure
supported the rise of the Internet, a major
factor in globalization that generates further
interconnection of economic and cultural
activities. New markets were developed and
these new markets dictate, or rather govern,
the way corporations think and how workers
are treated.
Russian and English
By Vera Zimmerman
Under the current globalization processes,
English words are not only permeating the
Russian language, but also replacing some
existing words. For example, the Russian word
“tvorcheskiy” has become “kreativniy” (creative). In politics, Russian diplomats started
to use the word “substantivniy” (substantive)
when talking about negotiations, even though
Russian has its own word “po sushchestvu” to
mean just that.
Image of world map
http://fcp12-2.flatclassroomproject.org/G%26O+Overview+B
Effects of Globalization on the German Language
Image of German flag
By Undine Nash
Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdhansay/4796587751/
Undine Nash, a Hanseat from Germany, is a microbiologist
and editor of a scientific journal. She is interested in all aspects
of language and published on the variances in connotations of
specific terms. Living on the East Coast, she has been a Member of the NLSC
since 2013.
NLSC Member Undine Nash
The effect of globalization on any language is most visible in the influx of English words. Unlike the
French, who take great efforts to keep their language free from foreign influences, most Germans
embrace English, today’s lingua franca. They coin completely new meanings for English words
(pseudo-anglicisms) that are easily understood by Germans. For instance, a cell phone is called a
“handy,” while a “beamer” is a projector attached to a computer to project its screen image. Both
words made it into the Duden, the German equivalent of the American Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Another example is “bodybag,” a one strap backpack that is carried over one shoulder and diagonally
across the body.
In advertising, English and German words are often mixed with sometimes hilarious results. One
of my favorites is in reference to the company “Bath and Body,” a store that sells spa products; in
German, it is called “Bad & Body” with “bad” being the German word for “bath.” Another humorous
example is “Bad Design,” a company that designs bathrooms.
There are even names of eateries that sound comical. “Back n’ Snack” is a bakery where one can sit
down for a quick snack. “Back” is the imperative form of the verb “backen,” which in German means
“to bake.”
In addition, many words have been easily integrated into the German vocabulary due to the ubiquity
of computer and Internet use. The ending “en” that characterizes a verb in German is just added
to any English word and voilà! We have new words: “downloaden,” “pasten,” “upgraden,” and also
“shoppen.” These verbs are being declined according to grammar rules for regular verbs.
Some people object to such influences on German or, for that matter, any language. In some cases
these objections are hyperbolic, but that’s what makes languages so interesting and exciting—and, so
often, plain funny. I personally think that these influences reflect the natural development of a living
language, and most of the time it is a two-way process: think of “angst,” “kindergarten,” “rucksack,”
“weltschmerz,” “zeitgeist,” and many more. Globalization can have negative aspects, but overall,
makes it easier to communicate and exchange ideas, to learn about and from other cultures. This can
lead to unification and standardization, but also to the appreciation of differences and of cultural
characteristics.
NLSC Meet & Greets!
January, 2015
Tampa, FL Meet & Greet
at the Rusty Pelican
restaurant
NLSC Member Iwan Gantina
Kurniawan, pictured with
his cultural contribution
of an Indonesian warrior,
Ghatotkacha, at the Tampa
Meet & Greet.
Planning
Constance Briley
Ryan Hampton
Sydney Hodges
Wanda Penn
NLSC Members take a group
photo at the Houston, TX
Meet & Greet
Editing
Kara Alvarez
Joanna Fesler
Andre Flores
Terah Hall
Sydney Hodges
March, 2015
Houston, TX Meet & Greet
at the Houston Museum of
Natural Science
Layout
Terah Hall
Paul Hanna
Wanda Penn
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