[wp-svg-icons icon=”users” wrap=”i”] Jie Zeng1 [wp-svg-icons icon=”envelop” wrap=”I”] & Tian Yang2
1School of Foreign Languages, Chendu Normal University, China.
2Department of International Exchange and Cooperation, Nanyang Normal University, China.
Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 1, January-March, 2022, Pages 1–12. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v14n1.18
Abstract received: 27 Feb 2021 | Article received: 28 May 2021 | Revised: 14 Aug 2021 | Accepted: 11 Dec 2021 | First Published: 5 February 2022
(This article is published under the Themed Issue Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Literary and Cultural Studies)
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English in the Philippines from the Perspective of Linguistic Imperialism
Abstract
This essay analyses English linguistic imperialism (Phillipson, 1992, 46) in the Philippines and identifies the features of linguistic neo-imperialism in the current era. The study rethinks and investigates how English linguistic imperialism plays a dual role in promoting and destroying the Filipino linguistic ecology. The present situation of English imperialism analyzed in this essay shows that the new stage of English linguistic imperialism embodies language hegemony mainly driven by political influence and business interests. At present, English linguistic neo-imperialism is not confined within post-colonial territories but maintains and expands both the language’s positive and negative influences as the world’s lingua franca. The authors also discuss the Filipino ownership of English and whether linguistic imperialism is entirely applicable to the Philippine context. Evidence shows that the continuing use of English, to a great extent, is Filipinos’ choice, not only for the benefit of the United States.
Keywords: English linguistic imperialism, neo-imperialism, the Philippines.