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Language, power and identity share an entangled relationship. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

Backgrounder: 360 words

English has become the dominant language used across global business, science, diplomacy and the internet, but it creates an unfair advantage.

7 perspectives

7 perspectives
Special Report

Language barriers

English has become the dominant language used across global business, science, diplomacy and the internet, but it creates an unfair advantage.

Culture
The diversity of languages ​​in a multicultural society like Sarawak, Malaysia is something to be admired but more efforts are needed to preserve and sustain indigenous languages for future generations. : Fabio Achilli, Flickr CC BY 2.0

Malaysia’s Indigenous language Bidayuh is declining in use and it will take a concerted effort to ensure competing languages don’t cause its demise.

Language Barriers

It takes commitment to preserve a language

Malaysia’s Indigenous language Bidayuh is declining in use and it will take a concerted effort to ensure competing languages don’t cause its demise.

Culture
The Indian Constitution places an emphasis on mother tongue education. : Pxhere CC0 Public Domain

Converting classrooms into an all English-speaking environment takes away children’s opportunities to develop crucial skills in their home languages.

Language barriers

All-English education in India neither desirable nor doable

Converting classrooms into an all English-speaking environment takes away children’s opportunities to develop crucial skills in their home languages.

Education
Global trade barriers are easing as it becomes easier to speak across languages. : Farid Mernissi, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0

All corners of the planet are en route to better internet access, helping send the traditional language barriers plaguing global trade tumbling.

Language barriers

Net gains as language barriers fall in global trade

Economy
The ‘ideal’ of the native speaker can determine whether a person gets a job. https://www.flickr.com/photos/m-i-k-e/8597085796/ : Michael Kappel/Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

As a common language, English connects many people. But biases against accents persist with dire effects.

Language barriers

English language bias goes beyond words

Culture
Parents whose first language is not English might find it harder to get information from their child’s school. : Kenny Eliason, Unsplash CC BY 4.0

Australians who primarily speak a language other than English are being locked out and left behind in the communication of important information.

Language barriers

Australia’s language challenges limit national potential

Education
The era of household robots who understand spoken natural language is not yet upon us, so how far off is it? : Andy Kelly, Unsplash CC BY 4.0

We’d all love to have a smart robot in our house that understands spoken natural language, just like those in sci-fi films. How far are we from this dream?

Language barriers

When can I get my new household robot?

Technology
The use of Malaysian English has helped millions across the country overcome language barriers and bring Malaysians together. : Ravin Rau Unsplash License

Malaysian English or Manglish plays a central role in the lives of locals. Its benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Language Barriers

Malaysian English is not mangled, it’s unifying

Human Interest