"It may not be the most beautiful of tongues, but in this day and age, it’s indispensable", - says Jean-Paul Nerriere. Nerriere is a retired French businessman, a retired vice-president of IBM in the United States, who made an interesting discovery.
Throughout his career, he conducted a lot of international business and realised he had an easier time talking to non-native English speakers than he did with actual business colleagues from England. And that’s why Nerriere invented "Globish". His two books, Don’t Speak English, Parlez Globish and Découvrez le Globish, became bestsellers in France and were also published in Spain, Italy, South Korea and Canada. They are also being translated into Japanese.
English
There are 615000 words in the Oxford English Dictionary. This is a collection of all the words that have been used in the English language. Very few native English speakers know more than 80000 of these words (on their best day). And though they may remember 80000 words, very few native English speakers will use more than 7500 English words in their communication.
Globish
The English Language can be extremely complicated if an English speaker or writer wants to show off all of its possibilities in words and structure to other English speakers. However, the form of English called Globish gives us a simpler, more universal tool to communicate with more than 5 times as many people.
Globish is essentially a very basic version of English. It only has 1,500 words and its users must avoid humour, metaphor, abbreviation and anything else that can cause cross-cultural confusion. It has been invented for the practical purpose of communicating between cultures in a primitive, yet clear way.
"It’s not a language, it’s a tool", - he says. "A language is the vehicle of a culture. Globish doesn't want to be that at all. It’s only a means of communication."
The simple goal of Globish is to reach only a level -- a common ground -- where everyone understands everyone else, everywhere in the world In the business world, there are more and more non-native English speakers that must communicate in English but just don’t have the level. For them, it’s much easier to learn Globish than it is to learn English.
What do you think is it a good idea and will Globish become more important in the future or not?
If all the non-native speakers learn Globish, how is that going to affect native English speakers?
Do you think Globish will eventually give native Englishspeakers a disadvantage in the business world?
I am looking forward to your thoughts, ideas, opinions.
-Valentine-
Comments
Hello Viviana!
Globish isn't a language,. it is a tool for easy communication, especially in the business enviroment, I consider it doesn't pursue a goal to become more than language, but can be very popular among non-native speakers who want in the short time to learn english,and of course, it depends what people want: to learn english or to master a tool of communication.
Thank you for passing by and leaving your point of view! :)
Hello Valentine,
mmm may be it can be usefull for business but how can any language make sense if it doesn't communicate anything about culture? which is the sense of talking to someone if you can't make them laugh? Well they were looking for a universal language to communicate wth aliens and they chose math, may be bussinessmen could do the same leaving all the boring stuff a conversation involve to those who cares about relationships. Between I think to share, while you are doing bussinees, your interests and try to meet the other ones it is very good for business.
@ Anele, thank you very much for feedback :) As for me, I haven't tried!!! But Globish has a place to be. There are more no-native speakers than native and it can become popular for an easy understanding and a communication in the world, especially in the business world; for people who need in the short time to learn English.
thanks again for passing by!!!
@ Hi, Anele!!! I am glad that you found it for yourself interesting and refreshing!!! Here is the link http://www.globish.com/ I am waiting your feedback ;)
thanks for comment!
@ Hi, Ranu!!! For someone for who need to learn English fast and it is just a tool, Globish is a great way. Here is the link (official site) - http://www.globish.com/
Thanks for the comment and new information :) You are welcome!
@ Hi Mayumi!!! As for me I think it is a good idea too. But at first we have to decide for ourselves what it means for us - a language or just a tool for communication. And for the inception, Globish can be a good basic platform for learning English.
Thanks for passing by and leaving your thoughts!!!
Thanks for your article, Valentine. Finally, someone discussed something that I have heard before.
I read a book about Quantum Learning (Accelerated Learning). The concept just sounds similar with what you described on your post. The author said that the military uses the same method as Globish offers. Thus, they can learn speak in foreign language for about 3 months.
The book says that there are only few hundred words in English that people use in daily live. If we can remember those hundred words, we can communicate in English faster, but of course in really basic way.
Would you share the link or resources to learn more about Globish, Valentine?
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