by Rand E Oertle

Created on: May 09, 2009

The politics of language is really a two-part story. Part one focuses on global history of empire building following Columbus' discover of America and today's changing geopolitical status. Part two is the nature of the elements language itself.

Part l

The impact of the post Columbus empire building period is really quite astounding. Perhaps the largest impact of that period that remains with us today is the exportation of language. Just consider the major languages that are spoken in counties that are not native to the populations.

During Britain's effort to create a worldwide empire, they installed English as a primary language in nearly every country they colonized. This is not to justify colonization as a practice, but India is a particularly interesting example of the politics of language.

Using English gave India a common language to help link the vast number of language variations and peoples, and brought the country together in a way that eventually helped Mohandas Gandi solidify Indian sentiment to break free of colonization.

Ironically, English speaking Indians are using those language skills for jobs from English speaking countries today.

There are 79 sovereign countries and non-sovereign countries who use English as their official language, a remnant of their British colonization.

Even the small country of Portugal did its own empire building. Today, Portugese is the official of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guindea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, So Tom & Prncipe.

Spain too, extended its power by exporting Spanish to nearly the entire south American continent along with Mexico and Central America. There are 21 countries and 350 million people who have Spanish as their primary language on three different continents. Until 1973, Spanish was an official language of the Philippines. Since then, constitutional changes have made Filipino and English the two official languages.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, we were told to learn Russian. Today's it's Chinese.

United Nation diplomats fight over the inclusion or exclusion of single words in resolutions.

The impact of the politics of language has been enormous. Close political alliances are formed and fostered through language. Treaties, international projects, health concerns and education are tied to language and it's politics.

Empire building isn't the only form of the politics of language. Consider that in order to be a commercial airline pilot you must speak fluent English. International

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