Globalization: Linguistically Speaking

This image is from the Democracy Chronicles website and was taken in Virginia, in July of 2012.

Every one of us has briefly flipped through the instruction pamphlet that comes with a new piece of technology or hardware, searching for our own language so we can figure out how to turn the dang thing on. All those extra languages we skim past aren’t there ‘just in case;’ the product we receive has likely been marketed to people all around the world. Thus globalization is conveyed in a simple, unassuming manner - just words on a page.

Likewise, this voting sign from Virginia - once the first English colony in the world, as the British Empire began its rise - is a solid example of language use reflecting globalization. Though migration happens much more slowly these days and on a smaller scale than in the first wave of globalization, many people still take the chance of moving to a new country for a variety of reasons. According to the American Community Survey (using data provided by the United States Census), over 300 languages are spoken in the United States. Although many of these speakers are fluent in English, many are not. In cities especially, a concentration of linguistic and cultural communities is seen. Because of this, signs like this become necessary in order to get a single message across to diverse groups of people.

Additionally, this image can serve as a reminder of another component often seen as connected with the second wave of globalization - the spread of democracy. Though this image was taken in America (as evidenced by the American flag in the background), the various languages themselves reflect experiences around the world.

Personally, what I appreciate most about this image is that it neither promotes nor warns against globalization. Instead, like the instruction pamphlets, it simply serves as a practical reflection of today’s daily reality.

--Bridget Malley