GLOBALIZATION VERSUS ETHNICITY: THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE IDENTITY AND CHANGE

This paper is developed on the hypothesis that globalization and not ethnicity, is the basis of language identity and change. This research is based on an article on 'Language, Ethnicity and Racism' by the famous linguist Joshua A. Fishman. The main focus will be on the segment that deals with the relationship of Language and Ethnicity. The view of some other linguists will also be discussed. The scope of this study will encircle Pakistan, a community with different ethnic backgrounds but aspiring to form a 'one language community' with the rest of the world due to globalization. Two major aspects of globalization namely; The Post colonial Influence and the American influence will be studied with reference to the collective ethnic inclination of a nation towards a partial language shift to English, and the individuals' stance to have preserved it as an official language since independence. Examples will be picked up from the language or lyrics in the local music industry. A contrast will be made between the samples of the time before globalization had set in and the samples from the post-globalization modern music. This study will lead to a better understanding for linguists, of how language functions and is changing under the influence of globalization. Findings showed that global trends are more powerful as compared to the ethnic background of English language speakers. The Post-colonial Influence overridden by the American influence seems to have encouraged the initiation and sustenance of American English in the region contributing as a crucial factor towards language identity and change. (C) 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK