English Language: The Last Bastion of Globalization

Abstract

The article analyzes the causes and consequences of linguistic globalization. If extra-linguistic factors were decisive for English to become a global language, linguistic factors were decisive for its preservation and development. The globalization of the English language has become possible by some of its immanent properties and is not exclusively a consequence of civilizational superiority. Therefore, the loss of global civilizational superiority will not necessarily cause the English language to lose its global status. While the coincidence of a number of extra-linguistic factors was important for English to become global, linguistic factors are crucial to maintain this status. The main risks of language globalization are critically analyzed. Despite the growing trend of deglobalization, English remains the last bastion of globalization.