Publicistic analysis The Effects of Globalisation on Languages and Cultural Diversity

Publicistic Analysis of the Article

The article titled “The Effects of Globalisation on Languages and Cultural Diversity” is written by Rehnuma Sazzad and published on Impakter. It discusses the impact of globalization on languages and cultural diversity, emphasizing issues such as linguistic extinction, identity, and the role of multilingual policies.

The text under analysis belongs to publicistic style and is a problematic article. The topic of the article falls within the social and cultural sphere of communication, providing relevant information and aiming to influence the reader’s opinion on the discussed issues.

Main Functions of the Text:

• INFORMATIVE: The article informs the reader about the risks globalization poses to linguistic diversity, mentioning UNESCO’s concerns about endangered languages.

• EFFECTIVE: The text urges readers to recognize the importance of linguistic diversity, using phrases such as “If a language disappears, a whole way of thinking disappears with it.” This emotional appeal highlights the irreversible cultural loss caused by globalization.

(The dominant function is informative, as the article presents facts, statistics, and expert opinions to substantiate its arguments.)

The article is written for a wide circle of readers, it discusses a globally relevant issue that affects various cultural and linguistic communities.

The text demonstrates analytical generalization, using structured argumentation to explain globalization’s effects on language and culture. (It presents cause-and-effect relationships, for example:

“The most dominant languages of the world, such as English, Spanish, and Mandarin, are replacing indigenous and regional languages.”

This sentence demonstrates how globalization favors dominant languages at the expense of smaller linguistic communities.)

The article is written in a formal, structured monologue, following a deductive approach. It presents general statements first and then supports them with examples and expert opinions.

The text combines expressive and standard means, including:

• Novelty effect: The use of phrases like “the silent erosion of linguistic identity” adds a poetic and emotional dimension.

• Simplicity and clarity: The article avoids overly technical language, making it accessible to a general audience.

• Social evaluation: Terms like “linguistic homogenization” and “cultural erasure” carry a strong negative connotation, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

• Logical argumentation: The article consistently supports its claims with examples, such as: “UNESCO warns that nearly 40% of the world’s languages are endangered.” This statistical reference strengthens the author’s position.

The article makes extensive use of:

• Terms related to globalization and linguistics: “linguistic hegemony,” “monolingual mindset,” “multilingual policies.”

• Metaphors: “The silent erosion of linguistic identity” (suggesting that language loss is gradual but dangerous).

• Personification: “Languages breathe through their speakers” (giving human characteristics to languages to emphasize their vitality).

• Comparison: “A world without linguistic diversity is like a garden with only one type of flower.”

• Rhetorical questions: “Can we afford to ignore this silent crisis?” (engages the reader and prompts reflection).

The author presents themselves as an objective yet concerned observer, blending factual analysis with emotional engagement.

The main topic is the impact of globalization on languages and cultural diversity. It is developed through subtopics such as:

1. The dominance of major languages (English, Mandarin, Spanish)

2. The disappearance of indigenous languages

3. The role of governments and institutions in language preservation

Each section logically builds on the previous one, creating a consistent and coherent argument.

The text is grammatically and semantically interconnected through:

• Frequent use of nouns related to language and globalization: “identity,” “cultural homogenization,” “linguistic diversity.”

• Verbs in past and present tenses:

• Past tense: “Many indigenous languages have already vanished.” (describes past consequences)

• Present tense: “Globalization continues to reshape the linguistic landscape.” (describes ongoing processes)

• Semantic fields centered around change and preservation: “erode,” “disappear,” “preserve,” “revitalize.”

The article reflects global linguistic diversity, discussing languages from different regions, including indigenous tongues, European languages, and dominant world languages. It portrays globalization as both a unifying and homogenizing force, shaping cultural identities worldwide.

The text references historical events indirectly, such as:

• Colonization and its impact on indigenous languages

• The spread of English as a global lingua franca

• Modern government policies supporting (or neglecting) minority languages

These historical elements help contextualize the current linguistic situation.

The article is a well-structured and thought-provoking analysis of how globalization affects languages and cultural diversity. The article balances informative content with persuasive rhetoric, using statistics, expert opinions, and expressive language to emphasize the importance of preserving languages.

I believe the article effectively draws attention to a significant issue. Although globalization has many advantages, it also puts linguistic diversity at risk, making it essential to take active steps to preserve endangered languages.