Analysis of Globalization and “Englishization” in Pakistan

International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning
Available online: 9 June 2015

Analysis of globalization and “Englishization” in Pakistan
Ashraf, Muhammad Azeem
Graduate Student at Institute for International and Comparative Education, Faculty of Education,
Beijing Normal University, China (Azeem20037@gmail.com)

Tsegay, Samson Maekele
Graduate Student at Institute for International and Comparative Education, Faculty of Education,
Beijing Normal University, China (Samex221@gmail.com)

ISSN: 2243-7754
Online ISSN: 2243-7762
OPEN ACCESS

Received: 29 April 2015
Available Online: 9 June 2015

Revised: 4 May 2015
DOI: 10.5861/ijrsll.2015.1205

Accepted: 3 June 2015

Abstract
Through framework of theories analyzing globalization, and secondary data, this paper asks,
how globalization through “Englishization” affects Pakistani societies. Language is an
important tool for globalization where the world is communicating in few dominant languages.
English has become the language of globalization in many countries especially developing
countries like Pakistan. Pakistan is a developing country with low rate of literacy. Despite the
fact that about half of Pakistani population cannot read, write or speak English, English has
been the official language of Pakistan. The desire to actively participate in national and
international levels and the perception of the Pakistani people about English as a language of
civilized people have also pushed Pakistan to focus on English as the medium of instruction
in schools. However, as there is quality discrepancy within Pakistani schools, this policy is
benefiting more to the powerful people who send their children to high-quality local and
international schools, widening the gap between the powerful and less powerful societies. The
paper provides an overview of changing patterns of globalization in connection with English
language, and explores the moving patterns of society and education towards a dominant
language in...