Dominant Languages

Dominance and Inequality

Language is not merely a tool for communication; it also shapes social structures and cultural identities. When a foreign language is forcibly introduced into a region with its own local language, it can become dominant, resulting in social and cultural inequality. The foreign language acquires linguistic capital[1] and market value[2], providing economic and social advantages such as employment, access to services, and connections, while the local language is increasingly perceived as less important or prestigious.

This dominance is maintained through symbolic power[3] and cultural hegemony[4], which cause individuals to internalize the perceived superiority of the foreign language, even when they continue to use their local language in private settings. As a result, speakers of the local language may develop a sense of inferiority.

The spread of the foreign language is often institutionalized and occurs at the expense of the local language. It operates similarly to systems of discrimination, such as racism or sexism, by privileging one group while marginalizing another. This process influences education, media, and public life, thereby reinforcing social inequality.

Over time, the foreign language spreads not by eradicating the local language, but by being perceived as more valuable and rewarded. As more individuals, particularly younger generations, adopt the foreign language, the local language weakens and may ultimately become extinct.

Footnotes

• [1] Linguistic capital refers to the value that society gives to a person's language skills. It can affect their access to education, employment, and social mobility, especially when certain languages are seen as more useful or respected by institutions.
• [2] Market value (of a language) means the economic benefits a language can offer. A language with high market value can help people get jobs, do business, or access services. Its value comes from how widely it is used and how much power it holds in society.
• [3] Symbolic power is the hidden influence that culture and social norms have on people. It works by shaping what people see as normal or correct, often without them realizing it, and can make certain languages seem more important or desirable.
• [4] Cultural hegemony is the control of a society by a dominant group through ideas and values, not force. It happens when the beliefs and practices of the powerful group become accepted as “common sense” by most people, including those with less power.

Language Suppression in France

The French government implemented policies to promote the use of French, aiming to unify the country through a common national language.

The decline of regional languages began in 1539, when the French government declared the Parisian dialect, Francien (Standard French), the sole official language.

The spread of Standard French was eventually driven by increased literacy and access to written language. In the 1880s, new education laws prohibited the use of regional languages in schools and imposed punishments on children who spoke them. The French administration propagated the belief that Occitan, a regional language, was merely a corrupted form of French, associated with ignorance and lack of education.

In 2021, a new bill known as Molac's Law attempted to permit instruction in regional languages across most subjects instead of French, but the French supreme court rejected that part, saying it went against the French constitution, which says French must be the language of the Republic.

Today, Occitan is spoken primarily by the oldest residents of the region, typically within neighborhood and family settings, and is likely to become extinct with the passing of this generation.

The Global Influence of English

In a study conducted by the European Institute of Business Administration, Kai Chan developed the Power Language Index (PLI), which ranked languages based on five types of opportunities they offer: (1) Geography: The ability to travel, (2) Economy: The ability to participate in an economy, (3) Communication: The ability to engage in dialogue, (4) Knowledge and media: The ability to consume knowledge and media, (5) Diplomacy: The ability to engage in international relations.

After evaluating the effectiveness of over one hundred languages across these five domains, it was found that English is the most powerful language overall, and it ranks highest in all five areas. English holds the top position as the world's lingua franca.

Mandarin is gaining influence but still ranks a distant second. French takes third place, with strong results in geography and diplomacy. Next are Spanish, Arabic, and Russian, completing the top six—all of which, even without considering diplomacy, are official languages of the United Nations. German and Japanese, spoken in major economic powers, rank seventh and eighth. The top ten is completed by Portuguese and Hindi, both of which are also BRIC languages.

Language proficiency is a critical factor in global competitiveness. It is notable that eight of the world's top ten financial centers are located in cities where English is widely spoken or well understood.

For individuals, language can help them succeed, and the index shows which languages are most useful. For business leaders, the index shows which languages are most important for reaching people worldwide. For policymakers, the index supports the idea that English gives people a big advantage.

National Priorities

Multilingual countries should prioritize enhancing English proficiency across the population while simultaneously preserving local languages, rather than promoting the imposition of one specific language nationwide. The colonial legacy of English is less relevant in contemporary global contexts. English is now one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide, serving as a lingua franca and providing substantial practical advantages over many other languages.

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