Great and powerful or global

Great and powerful or global?

The article titled «Great and powerful or global?» by Svetlana Ter-Minasova addresses the impact of globalization on languages and cultures, particularly the growing influence of English on Russian. The author starts by saying how communication and technology have made people closer, but also says there are problems with globalization, like how it affects language and culture.

One key focus of the article is the dominance of English as the global language, a role it has supposed due to historical, political, and economic factors. Ter-Minasova reflects on the pressure that non-English-speaking nations face to adopt English in various aspects of life, including business and education. However, she emphasizes the resistance of many nations, including Russia, to completely abandon their own languages and cultural identities. She notes, for example, the revival [rɪˈvaɪvəl] of regional languages in the UK, such as Welsh and Scottish Gaelic, as part of the resistance against linguistic homogenization [həmɒʤɪnaɪˈzeɪʃn].

Ter-Minasova also highlights how the influence of English extends over language into cultural values and behaviors. She argues that even when foreign films and books are translated, they often carry the cultural ideologies [aɪdɪˈɒləʤɪ] of the source language, which can represent a threat to the national culture. In the case of Russia, she sees the country as particularly vulnerable due to its long isolation during the Soviet era and the following enthusiastic embrace [ɪmˈbreɪs] of Western (and particularly American) ideas, styles, and language after the collapse of the USSR.

The article provides specific examples of how English has entered Russian daily life, including changes in business etiquette, personal names, and communication styles. Ter-Minasova points out how Russian business professionals increasingly omit patronymics [pætrəˈnɪmɪk], a traditional aspect of Russian identity, in favor of adopting Western naming tradition. The author also observes a shift from the imperative tone common in Russian public signage [ˈsaɪnɪʤ] to a more polite, indirect style inspired by English.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by the global spread of English, Ter-Minasova also highlights some positive aspects of this linguistic interaction, such as the simplification and modernization of scientific and pedagogical [pedəˈgɔʤɪkəl] writing in Russia. She argues that the more personal and accessible style of Western academic writing, which includes humor and individual perspectives, can be valuable for Russian education, particularly for attracting students and contributing to clearer communication.

In conclusion, Ter-Minasova offers a nuanced perspective on the impact of globalization on language and culture. She argues that while English, as a global language, has a significant [sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt] influence on Russian, it is important to manage this influence carefully in order to preserve the diversity of languages and cultural identities. The author leaves open the question of how future generations will navigate [ˈnævɪgeɪt] the complex linguistic landscape created by globalization, but emphasizes the importance of striking [ˈstraɪkɪŋ] a balance between global interconnectedness and the protection of national heritage.

I think that English does have a great influence on other languages and cultures in the world, but with this globalization, everyone should remember their native language, cultural identity and continue to pass on these traditions and knowledge to the next generations. Young people feel quite comfortable in this new rapidly developing world, so they can accept all external changes with ease, while not losing their country's national heritage.