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Global English, or Globish, is a universally understood form of English that is used internationally by non-native speakers of English and, to some extent, by native English speakers when they interact with nonnative speakers. Global English has achieved universal language status because it strives for neutrality, using English words and phrases generally understood throughout the Englishspeaking world while avoiding localisms that are too culturally specific.
The term “Globish” was made a household name by Jean-Paul Nerriere,a Frenchman and former IBM executive who developed the concept after observing the verbal exchanges among businessmen at the international meetings he attended. He concluded that non-native English speakers were able to communicate with each other more successfully than their native Englishspeaking colleagues because they used a type of simplified English, foregoing idiomatic phrases, figurative meanings, and ambiguities. On the other hand, Nerriere noted that native English speakers were often misunderstood or left out of these “Globish” conversations altogether because they tended to use English in a way that was too complex and subtle for non-native speakers to understand if they only had a basic command of the language. In his attempt to capture and codify the way in which non-native speakers were able to communicate so effectively and to enable others to acquire a basic but universally understood form of English quickly, he created Globish.
Globish is based on a vocabulary limited to 1,500 words, involving a modular method for combining these words, with an emphasis on short sentences, basic syntax, active verb tense, and a particular focus on the correct usage of syllable stress. 2 In addition, users must avoid anything that could potentially cause cross-cultural confusion, such as metaphors,abbreviations, and even humor. The goal of Globish is to reach a common ground where everyone understands everyone else regardless of their native language.
Globish is widely used today in business and academic circles, and has effectively become a lingua franca—a “bridge language” between speakers who do not share a common language.It is not surprising that Globish is popular within the business community,since lingua francas tend to emerge when speakers of various languages not only have the need to communicate and exchange messages, but the ability to realize an economic benefit by doing so.History indicates that lingua francas come and go based on the needs of a particular era. The moment the economic benefit disappears, people cease to feel compelled to learn the language.
As the language of diplomacy, for example, French was a lingua franca for several hundred years until the mid-20th century, but in this globalized, digital age, it has now been superseded by English. In fact, in their book Globish the World Over, Nerriere and co-author David Hon state that 96% of international English communication takes place with at least one non-native speaker.3 So what does this mean for translators?
The Translator as a Mediator It is important to note that Globish is used mainly for verbal communication. However, it must be considered “non-standard” English, meaning it does not have standardized, prescriptive grammar. The dilemma here is that, in this particular case, we are technically translators from one standard language into another standardlanguage. Because English is now functioning as a lingua franca, we are increasingly put in a position where we are asked to translate from Globish into standard English or from Globish into yet another language.
Globish is a perfectly useful and effective means of verbal communication, but it can be an occupational hazard for translators when it spills over into written text. Translators need to be on the lookout for telltale signs that the English text they are being asked to translate or edit is in fact nonstandard English. The checklist below will help you identify certain traits of Globish in your documents.
