Study Notes: Relevant Ethical Considerations in English in the World (9093 Paper 4, Section A)

Hi everyone! Welcome to the section of Paper 4 that deals with the big questions: Is the dominance of English a good thing, a bad thing, or a bit of both? When a language becomes global, it brings up serious issues about fairness, culture, and survival. This chapter will equip you to discuss these sensitive and crucial topics in your essay, making sure your arguments are balanced and insightful.

Don't worry if these concepts seem heavy—we'll break them down using clear examples relevant to the global use of English.

What Are Ethical Considerations in Language Study?

In this context, ethical considerations refer to the moral issues and conflicts that arise because of the widespread use and power of the English language globally. Essentially, we are asking: Who benefits, and who loses, when English takes over?


The syllabus requires you to understand four key areas of ethical concern:

  • Language Shift and Death
  • Cultural Imperialism
  • Equality of Opportunity
  • Global Cooperation

1. Language Shift and Death

What is Language Shift?

Language Shift happens when a community gradually stops using its ancestral language and starts speaking another, more powerful language (in this case, often English) instead. This usually occurs over several generations.

Example: A grandparent speaks only the indigenous language, the child speaks both the indigenous language and English, and the grandchild speaks only English.

What is Language Death?

Language Death (or Language Endangerment) is the ultimate ethical concern. It occurs when the last native speaker of a language dies, and the language ceases to be spoken naturally.

The Ethical Problem

The global dominance of English often accelerates this process. The ethical issue is the irreplaceable loss of human knowledge and cultural identity.

  • Loss of Identity: Language is strongly linked to personal and community identity. When a language dies, a unique way of viewing the world (worldview, humour, history) is lost forever.
  • Loss of Knowledge: Indigenous languages often contain unique ecological, medicinal, and historical knowledge that is not recorded elsewhere.
Did You Know?

It is estimated that over 90% of the world's languages could become extinct or critically endangered by the end of this century, largely due to pressure from languages of economic power, like English.

Key Takeaway

The ethical consideration here is how to balance the need for a global language (English) with the moral duty to preserve linguistic diversity and the unique cultures tied to smaller languages.

2. Cultural Imperialism

Defining Cultural Imperialism

Cultural Imperialism (sometimes called Linguistic Hegemony) is the idea that the culture, values, and norms of one powerful nation (often associated with English-speaking countries like the US/UK) are imposed on other, less powerful nations through the medium of the dominant language.

The ethical conflict arises because the spread of English often carries Western cultural baggage, sometimes overshadowing or devaluing local traditions.

How English Acts as an Imperial Tool

When you consume global media (movies, music, social media) in English, you are not just learning words; you are absorbing cultural ideas.

  • Media Dominance: Hollywood films, American pop music, and major technology platforms (like Google or Facebook) operate primarily in English. This means they dictate the cultural trends.
  • Terminology: In fields like computing, medicine, and aviation, the essential terminology is often English. This forces non-English speakers to adopt concepts and terms that may not align with their native linguistic frameworks.
Analogy: The Global Fast Food Chain

Think of English as a huge global fast-food chain. It’s convenient, fast, and everywhere. But if everyone eats the global fast food, the unique, local, small restaurants (the local languages and cultures) start to close down. The ethical concern is the homogenisation of global culture.

Key Takeaway

When discussing cultural imperialism, focus on the power dynamics. Is the global spread of English truly neutral, or does it serve the interests of the cultures that speak it natively, often at the expense of others?

3. Equality of Opportunity

English as a Gatekeeper

English proficiency has become essential for achieving success in many parts of the world. This creates a severe ethical dilemma concerning Equality of Opportunity.

If you don't speak English, the opportunities for advancement are significantly limited. English acts as a gatekeeper to:

  • Higher Education: Most top universities (especially those conducting cutting-edge research) teach programs in English. Applicants without fluency are shut out.
  • Economic Mobility: In many multinational corporations or tech industries, English is the default language of communication. This means native speakers or those with access to excellent English schooling have a massive advantage (Linguistic Privilege).
  • Access to Information: A vast majority of scientific and academic publications are published first, or only, in English. This restricts access to vital knowledge for non-English speaking researchers or citizens.

The Socioeconomic Barrier

The cost and quality of English education often depend on socioeconomic class. This means the global English requirement reinforces existing inequalities:

A wealthy student who can afford international schooling will likely achieve fluency, gaining access to better jobs, while a student from a rural, under-funded school may not, thus remaining disadvantaged.

Quick Review: The Ethics of Access

The ethical issue here is whether a language (English) should be allowed to determine an individual's life success and opportunities, effectively creating a global linguistic divide between the "haves" and the "have-nots."

4. Global Cooperation (The Role of English as a Lingua Franca)

The Positive Ethical Aspect

While the previous points focus on negative consequences, English plays a critical role in facilitating positive outcomes, specifically Global Cooperation.

English functions as the primary Lingua Franca (a bridge language used between people who do not share a native language) in areas vital for world peace and development:

  • Diplomacy and Politics: English is often the working language in the UN, EU, and other international bodies, allowing diplomats from hundreds of countries to communicate efficiently.
  • Crisis Management: During global health crises (like pandemics) or natural disasters, fast, clear communication across borders is essential. English helps streamline these efforts.
  • Trade and Science: It allows global markets to function and enables scientists worldwide to share research quickly, accelerating solutions to global challenges (like climate change).

The Counter-Ethical Argument (The Cost of Efficiency)

Even in cooperation, the dominance of English can be ethically tricky. Although it makes communication faster, it means that only people proficient in English have a seat at the "global table."

For example, if a global policy is being discussed, the representatives of non-English speaking nations may not be able to express their nuanced viewpoints as effectively as native English speakers, leading to unbalanced outcomes.

Mnemonic Aid: CLUES

Remember the four main ethical areas and their connection to English dominance:

Cultural Imperialism
Language Shift and Death
Unity (Global Cooperation—the positive side)
Equality of Opportunity
Self (Remember Paper 4, Section B is Language and the Self)


How to Apply These Ethics in Your Paper 4 Essay

When responding to an unseen text in Paper 4, Section A, you need to link the text’s ideas to these ethical considerations. Always maintain a balanced view:

Common Mistake to Avoid:

Do not simply argue that English is "bad." You must acknowledge its utility (as a tool for global cooperation and trade) while critically analysing the high costs (cultural imperialism and language death).

Analytical Approach (Step-by-Step):

  1. Identify the Text’s Stance: Does the text celebrate the spread of English (focusing on cooperation) or critique it (focusing on loss)?
  2. Select an Ethical Issue: Choose the ethical concept that best fits the text's central argument (e.g., if the text discusses job advertisements requiring English, discuss Equality of Opportunity).
  3. Relate and Define: Define the ethical concept (e.g., Cultural Imperialism).
  4. Provide Examples/Theory: Use real-world examples (e.g., specific language death examples, or the dominance of US media) to support your analytical point.
Final Encouragement

These topics require critical thinking, not just memorisation. By understanding the ethical costs and benefits of English's global status, you are demonstrating AO4 (understanding concepts and issues). You’ve got this!