English-language dominance derives from the fact that all of the Internet-related technologies originated in English language countries (I know that the Web was first created at CERN in Geneva, but it was created by an Englishman). What other language would they have been created in? Furthermore, English is the lingua franca (as French and Latin once were) of science, technology, civil aviation, and world business, among other things. "Power instrument of de- culturization"? Come now! The U.S. principally has provided the world with a great technological gift, not without self-interest, to be sure, but a gift nonetheless. With the technological infrastructure more or less provided (although admittedly unevenly distributed), isn't it up to other cultures to put their own face and linguistic stamp on the Internet? What would motivate mainly English-speaking countries to put up websites in Hungarian, Urdu, Swahili, or whatever? The industrial revolution started in England, and the information technology revolution started in the U.S. (with antecedents in England). Such social-economic movements must start somewhere, and it is natural that they use the language of their origins. Would you rather forego such advances in the interests of local language pride? In any case, English as a world language might be in decline, and it might one day become necessary to learn Mandarin, as the following article suggests...Alex Kuskis (first language, Latvian), Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada English in Decline as a First Language, Study Says Stefan Lovgren for National Geographic News February 26, 2004 It may be time to brush up on your Mandarin. According to one new study, the percentage of the global population that grew up speaking English as its first language is declining. In addition, an increasing number of people now speak more than one language. In the future, English is likely to be one of those languages, but the Mandarin form of Chinese will probably be the next must-learn language, especially in Asia. The status of English as a global language may peak soon," said David Graddol, managing director of the English Company in Milton Keynes, England, and the author of a new study on the future of language. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0226_040226_language.html#ma... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cristian Berrío Zapata" <cristianberrioz@hotmail.com> To: <air-l@listserv.aoir.org> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 9:32 AM Subject: RE: [Air-l] Hungarian and others I agree with Jarek although my two languages (Spanish and English) have wide spread. The situation of Anglicization of the web had made of it a power instrument of de-culturization. Whether you learn English (I do adore Shakespeare language but this has nothing to do regarding this) or you abandon the web. Same case if we view all cultural and socioeconomic "intended" messages in the content, which for obvious is representative of our west-cultural point of view. Power and the web is a must at any discussion... Cristian Berrío Zapata Profesor PUJ - UNAL Facultad de Economía Teléfono (57 3)300 817 9849 cberrioz@cable.net.co CHAT cristianberrioz@hotmail.com -----Mensaje original----- De: air-l-aoir.org-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-aoir.org-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] En nombre de J. J. Enviado el: Martes, 05 de Octubre de 2004 10:31 a.m. Para: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Asunto: [Air-l] Hungarian and others About 10% of the world's population has access to the Internet but 97% of web sites are designed in English. If you need reference for these statistics let me know but unless we recognize the importance and validity of other languages in cyberspace, we can find ourselves on the receiving end of the global spectrum. If anything, we should encourage research and scholarly contribution in other, lesser known (to the English-speaking world) languages. Jarek Santiago Canyon College Orange, California