Webography

English Language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language
This page brings a lot of information about English in general: its origins, history and geographical distribution around the world.

International Language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_English
Here we can find the concept of English as being a global means of communication. It brings some extra references that might help the interested student on the topic.

Universal language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_language
This page, as the other two indicated above, is part of Wikipedia. Here and here the ‘surfer’ can find the languages that were considere universal, since the 17th Century.

English next
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-research-englishnext.htm
This page brings a David Crystal article on Global English and its end as foreign language.
(there is a file on PDF extension; the reader needs to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to read it)

Monolinguism: illiteracy nowadays*
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-monol.html
This website shows how being monolingual can be seen as illiteracy, nowadays: “A história, ao eleger o inglês como língua do mundo, sentenciou o monolingüismo nos países de língua não-inglesa a se tornar o analfabetismo do futuro.”
* Original title “Monolingüismo: o analfabetismo dos tempos atuais” (text in Portuguese).

English*
http://www.dominiumingles.com.br/lingua.asp
This site brings some information about the history of the language. It states that 90% of what is present on the internet, for example, is written in English.
* Original title: “A língua inglesa” (text in Portuguese).

English and Portuguese around the world*
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-stat.html
At this address it is found a table comparing Portuguese and English in the world.
Original title: “O inglês e o português no mundo” (text in Portuguese).

English, now the global language, drifts from its roots
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/06/news/english.php
Do you know what “Globish” is? Read this article and you will understand what is all about.

Globish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globish
This is also parte of Wikipedia and brings the definition of this “new” Language: Globish.

Is English the Esperanto of the world?*
http://www.aleph.com.br/kce/artigo35.htm
A website with discuss the comparison that: English is the Esperanto of the world. Is it?
*Original title: “Inglês: o esperanto do mundo?” (text in Portuguese).

What Is Global English?
http://members.fortunecity.com/rapidrytr/Spell/global-English.htm
The use of simplified international English as a common or global language for the world. That is what this site is about.

English as international language*
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-ingl.html
This article shows how English is important in academic and professional environments; it is based on David Crystal’s studies concerning language.
*Original title: “O inglês como a língua internacional”.

Journal of English as an International Language
http://www.eilj.com/introduction.php
The Journal of English as an International Language is a new, refereed publication which aims at providing free on-line access to all those involved in the research, teaching and learning of English as an International Language.

English as a Global language: the Case of the European Union
http://webdoc.gwdg.de/edoc/ia/eese/artic20/witte/6_2000.html
Although English is not the language with the greatest number of native speakers in the countries of the European Union (nor world-wide), its importance for communication is constantly growing. This site shows how English is “used” and taught in Europe.

English as the Global Language: Good for Business, Bad for Literature
http://www.cepr.org/press/DP2055PR.htm
This website comments on an article called “World literature will be an English literature”, written by Jacques Mélitz. It bringsthe main points of Mélitz work.

The origen and future of languages*
http://www.comciencia.br/reportagens/linguagem/ling08.htm
This is another article based on David Crystal researches. It concerns languages and their future in this globalized world.
*Original title: “A origem e o destino das línguas” (text in Portuguese).

Language is State’s business
http://www.comciencia.br/reportagens/linguagem/ling06.htm
This article shows how countries (the government) deals with the “invasion” of foreign words in their languages.
* Original title: “Línguas são assunto de estado” (text in Portuguese).

Minority Ethnic English
http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/sounds/case-studies/minority-ethnic/
This website brings an overview on minority ethnic English.

Universal Language
http://www.midiaindependente.org/pt/blue/2003/08/260867.shtml
This site shows English as the language of internet and technology. It asks people, also, not to translate words such as e-mail. This is not an article, but a post with some personal comments made by a person who is interested on the topic.
*Original title: “Linguagem universal” (text in Portuguese).

Social sciences and English
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-69092004000100001&lng=pt&nrm=iso
This article considers the implications of English being the most used language on our globalized context; the article is related to social science, but is interesting in our discussions among language in general.
*Original title: “As ciências sociais e o inglês” (text in Portuguese).

The cultural basis of teaching English as an international language
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=192&DID=1000
This site presents the characteristics of an international language and its cultural implications.

English as an international language - courses

Division of English as an International Language
http://www.deil.uiuc.edu/about/mission.html
This is the website of DEIL – Division of English as an International Language. It is a program of University of Illinois which focuses on the teaching of English to students from other language backgrounds.

Sociedade Cultural Língua Universal
http://www.sociedadecultural.com.br/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1
This is a Brazilian website from a company which teaches English for Brazilian students. On its name is already possible to see how English is seen there.

References

GRADDOL, David and GOODMAN, Sharon. Redesigning English: new texts, new identities, 1996, The Open University

HARLOW, Ray. “Some Languages are Just Not Good Enough” in: BAUER, Laurie and TRUDGILL, Peter. Language Myths, 1999, Penguin UK

Additional reading

BAGNO, Marcos. Preconceito Lingüístico: o que é, como se faz, 2002, Loyola

FARACO, Carlos Alberto. Estrangeirismos: guerras em torno da língua, 2001, Parábola