English Literature

Globalization is being talked about everywhere. It has become a common subject of discussion and debate lately. Scholars from all over the world have become occupied in learning about it as a national issue and phenomenon, and sociologists have already initiated studies that aim to find out about its effects on peoples lives. Because of this global curiosity about such a phenomenon, globalization has been tried to defined and explicated in a lot of different ways. Now, people at the least have a speck of idea about what globalization is and what it affects. However, this speck of idea may not appear sufficient since a lot about nations economy, culture, government and national identity are being affected by globalization. Considering these perceived effects, it may seem like what the world needs is a more extensive and in-depth scrutiny as to what globalization really is and how it affects one country. The effects of globalization have indeed been evident in a lot of countries today. Aside from changing traditions, cultures and outlook on some things, it has also affected peoples sense of nationalism and patriotism. One of the most apparent manifestations of this is on how people of today have been used to being patrons of foreign products instead of their own, locally-made products. However, aside from this, one very significant change which people have to notice is the domination of the English language. 

English is indeed the universal language, and that fact is known in every part of the world. It is also because of this fact that different countries strive on making their people learned and familiar with the English language since being able to speak and understand the language enables people to communicate with more people from other countries. This bridges more connection which also implies that international relations can also be strengthened if more countries will be able to become fluent English speakers. However, in some cases, English domination is not seen as positive event. In some places, a domination of a foreign language does not actually entail a major step toward globalization instead, it may seem more like an unwanted colonization which poses the possibility of the loss of a nationalistic spirit and identity. There are several nations that are actually looking at the domination of the English language this way. One of these nations is Saudi Arabia. The situation of Saudi Arabia amidst globalization has been a constant subject on headlines all over the world. The countrys way of reaching out to the world has been very uncontestable over the years however, as it appears, one part of globalization is not making that much of a positive impact on the country and this is the domination of the English language over the Arabic language. Over the years, it has been very significant to understand the effects of globalization on a countrys economy and national identity. Given this case of English domination in the Arabia, it appears significant to understand the more specific effects it posts on the countrys culture and on peoples behavior and preferences. This discussion shall then delve on the significant impacts of English domination in the attitude and preference of Arabians toward the media. Specifically, this discussion shall look into the effects and influence of English domination  apparent through the proliferation of English TV shows  on Arab children.

Globalization
A scenario which depicts a nation struggling to fight for its dying language due to the domination of English language can be very upsetting and alarming. A lot of people would easily associate and attribute this scenario to globalization. If this will be the case, such people may really have a point somewhere however, in order to understand how globalization is connected to this dilemma, it may be best to first define and explicate what globalization is and how it is connected to a nations language loss.

Globalization has becomes a common topic of discussion over the years because of its rapid growth in different countries. It has been defined and explicated by different experts, but as it appears, no concrete and solid understanding of globalization tends to linger into peoples minds. In this light, consulting experts in this subject matter would be the best idea. Ulrich Beck, is one of the many experts who have studied and are continuously exploring on the concept of globalization. Just like other experts who have explored on the concept of globalization, Beck also thinks that there have been a lot of misconceptions about what globalization really is. According to Beck, the idea of globalization centers on, scale, density, and stability of regional-global relationship networks and their self-definition through the mass media, as well as of social spaces and of image-flows at a cultural, political, economic and military level. (Beck 12)

This definition clearly implies that globalization is not directly focused on modernization as what most people think. Over the years, the mass media has related globalization to the modern development and growth of the world. Because of this association, it has been easy for people to assume that globalization is the same as modernization or development towards modernity. However, as per Becks explication, this is not the actual case. The abovementioned definition clearly entails that globalization is all about relationships or connections. Beck emphasizes that rather than being focused on infrastructures and other physical manifestations of modernity, globalization actually centers on connections that are built between nations. The author also notes that this kind of connection imposes significant effects not just on a countrys modern development but also on its economy, government, culture and even in its military defense. As it appears, globalization really delves on connection instead of modernity hence, what appears important to understand regarding Becks definition of globalization is that, the modern aspect of globalization is just an effect or consequence of the growing connections between powerful nations.

Considering this definition, it appears that a nation can be considered to be participating in the common aim for globalization if it is able to build strong and reliable relationships with other powerful countries. The United States can be used as one good example in discussing this definition. The United States has been tagged by different experts as the worlds most powerful country. It has overcome a lot of political and military feats, and although it has recently gone through a serious economic recession, its influence to other countries still remains incontestable. A lot of people may question, why is this so One factor that may have contributed to this kind of influence is the strength and dominance that the ancient Americans were able to establish. Plainly basing it one studied history, it can be seen that a lot of powerful nationalities like the English or British, Germans and Latin races have successfully made their way to become naturalized in America long before. Because of this, the minds, skills and physical prowess of America grew stronger because of this mixture. Over the years, it has also made successful colonies from several less powerful nations. These are just some possible reasons why the United States was able to acquire such a strong influence over other countries today.

The power and influence of the United States of America is important to not because this one of the best example that could be used in the discussion of globalization. Apparently, a lot of countries are now looking up to the United States of America like it is an exemplar in terms of economic and political stability. Because of this impression, the U.S. was able to make strong connections to other countries, both to third world and powerful and influential countries as well. The influence has been very consistent through the years. One strong proof of this influence is the prevalence of the English language as the worlds most understood language. However, this is just one illustration of how globalization works. The United States play as a significant example of how advantageous globalization is especially in terms of economic, political and military stability. But apart from this, there are still a lot of effects of globalization that experts were able to identify over the years. Some of these consequences include improve market mechanisms and government efficiency (Korten 98). These consequences root from the ability of globalization to empower markets because of the growing connections to more countries hence wide ranging market as well. Moreover, government efficiency was also said to be an effect of globalization since world leaders are being obligated to exert more logical and the same time stern governance in order for their nation to appear credible and exemplary before the rest of the world. However, apart from these positive effects, there are also some negative effects seen to root from this concept of globalization. One of these corrosive effects, include supraterritoriality. This process was explained to be a situation where territories are being scarce due to monopolized control and ownership of land. This was said to further cause relative deterritorialization since communities are losing their territorial homeland (Scholte 160). What is worse is that this relative deterritorialization was also said to bring forth denationalization. These are really very corrosive effects that evidently push a nation to lose its identity. Despite the positive and beneficial effects of globalization, in some ways, it apparently has the ability to actually destroy a countrys national identity. Aside from the aforementioned effects of globalization, one process which was also seen to be corrosive of a nations identity is language loss and this is another negative effect attributed to globalization.

Language Loss as a Negative Effect of Globalization
Language is one of the primary determinants of nationality. Because of this feature it also serves as a way of identification which relates to ones culture and nationality. In speaking about the concept of nationalism, language becomes a very important topic since it is one attribute which has always been tried preserved by nationalists. Countries like China, Japan, Korea and a lot of Arabian countries can be considered as strict nationalists. This is based on how strict and consistent they are in their efforts of preserving their national identity in terms of culture, traditions, and language. However, due to globalization, this national identity is being put to a great challenge as language is being risked of being dominated over by a foreign one. This was identified as the process of language loss. Language loss has been defined as, the process where speakers of local language, all over the world, are forced to give up on their native languages and adopt what we call a language of wider communication, which today is in most cases English. (Zentai and Krizsan 64)

This phenomenon is clearly very apparent in the current state of societies. It is evident that as years pass, the English language continues to rule as the worlds most understood language, and more and more countries as gearing up towards educating people more about the English language. However, language loss posts a significantly serious threat in terms of national identity. A lot of countries are already facing the risk of losing their national identity because of the domination of the English language. This domination has been apparent through the mass media, the academe and the change in peoples behavior and attitude toward being nationalistic. One country which has been observed to go through such dilemma is Saudi Arabia. How this country is currently facing such threat shall be addressed in the succeeding part of this discussion.

Globalization and the Threat of Language Loss in the Arabia
Globalization has been seen to reach a lot of countries in a fast and what it seemed an unstoppable phase. The Arabian countries are some of these nations that have been observed to embrace globalization. In most countries, the most typical effects of globalization were seen to be on capitalist development. The economic ability of a country was usually the most apparent manifestation of whether or not globalization is doing significant improvements. However in the context of Arabian countries, it appears that the entry of globalization was not that smooth. Experts observed that most countries in the Arabia such as Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Libya and Algeria are not exhibiting high levels of capitalist development. Experts attributed this to the nature of leadership in these countries. Unlike other countries with freer economies, the governments in these countries are praetorian republics that are controlled from bunkers by political military elites (Henry and Springborg 95). Furthermore, experts note that,

While capital flight and labor migration are not confined to these countries, they are its most prominent exemplars. Algerian workers, for example, have a longer history and a more substantial presence in France do than their Moroccan or Tunisian counterparts. (95-96)

This just entails that although most countries have already displayed fast adaptation to globalization, some countries like Arabian nations still remain preserved. But aside from this aspect, huge impacts were also seen on the use of the English language in Arabian countries. This has been most apparent in the mass media.

The mass media is one of the most vulnerable institutions when it comes to globalization. Any foreign content or message can be easily absorbed and broadcasted using the many forms of mass media, and this can easily sway of affect people in different ways. In talking about globalization, one of the major questions being asked is on the ideal of the so-called Englishization. Englishization was defined as the process of the global spread of English, the so-called language of globalization (Zentai and Krizsnan 64). In the mass media in most Arabian countries, englishization has already been observed. Some of the most popular TV channels that are already seen to broadcast English programs are SAT TV, Muhammad TV and Al Majd Kids TV (Ostamyy.com). Some of the programs broadcasted in these networks are news and educational programs. But what appears very significant to note are the English cartoons and children shows that are being introduced to a lot of Arabian children.

Language is one of the earliest learning children acquire as they grow up. Alongside motor and logic skills, language is also one of the most important learning which is being taught to children at a young age. The prevalence and widespread of English TV programs, that cater to children, posts a lot of issues. For one, instead of learning the native language some children might already been brought up to an environment of English speakers. Hence, as these children grow, it is likely that they learn to speak English as their primary language and their native language as secondary. Considering the fact that language plays a significant part in terms of national identity, the thought of letting Arabian children learn English - and eventually let them consider English as their primary language  can really be very threatening in the context of Arabias very strict and preserved national identity. Apart from this, some Arabs also considered their childrens behaviors and attitudes as possible areas that might get affected by the domination of English and the American culture through children programs. It is evident that the American culture holds several differences from the conservative and preserved Arabian culture. Considering this, it must have been very difficult for other Arabians to let their children be exposed to English programs since some behavior, attitude, language and messages broadcasted may appear unsuitable in some ways. Considering this, the domination of the English language through TV programming may not just post threats as to national identity, but also to the conservative and preserved disposition of Arabs.

When TV broadcasting started in Saudi Arabia in 1965, it was understandable that there are sufficient English contents since the network was initiated by the US Air Force (Sinclair, Stuart and Cunningham 113). As years pass by, English contents were gradually reduced, and the programming of most Arabian networks centered on promoting Saudi Arabia as the heart of the Islamic Civilization. The Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) is one of Saudi Arabias most powerful networks. Although most of the Arabian networks were focused on uplifting their native language, the objectives of other networks ironically direct towards the aim of globalization. Abdullah El Masry, the executive director of MBC once said, through MBC, we hope to prepare the air for reconciliation in the Mideast, to be a bridge of understanding (114). Evidently, the vision of this network, as per its directors point of view, clearly directs toward a similar objective which globalization sets  bridging and connecting nations. But although this was the case a lot of Arabs have remained to be skeptical toward the main purpose and agenda of globalization as it enters their territories through the mass media. This issue was further deepened by other issues that eventually sprung from conflicts between Arab and English media practitioners. Hana Hajjar for example is an Arabian cartoonist who has worked for English firms throughout her entire career. Hajjar has been condemned by both her countrymen and even by other people from other nationalities because of her seemingly thought-provoking and stirring cartoons. Hajjar admits that her works may really provoke some negative impressions and reactions both from her fellow Arabs and other people of different nationalities however, she emphasizes that she is just maximizing the opportunities brought to her by globalization and the knowledge of the universal language in order to remove women in an oppressive state where the men of the world have put them in generations now (Sterns). Hajja also argued that considering the opportunities globalization is now offering to women, women like herself must rather come out of their shell and show the world how talented and gifted they are. Hajja is a known, fluent  English speaker. This has been greatly associated to her provocative messages since most Arabs tend to think that her attitude has been brought by her exposure to the American culture. This issue is just another illustration of how globalization affects the societys social structure through language.

After having discussed what globalization really is, what its immediate and long-term effects are, as well as how it tends to cause language loss, in can be deduced that indeed globalization is not always advantageous. Truly, there are other important aspects aside from capitalistic, political and military developments. A nation cultural identity remains a significant consideration when talking about globalization. Basing it on the context of globalization in Arabian countries, it also shows that English programs impose serious effect on childrens language learning. Truly, if these things go on, it will not come as a surprise anymore if Arab children shall grow speaking the English language instead of their own language  which is a major threat as to Arabs much preserved national and cultural identity.