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12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English

  • Christer Laurén and Sauli Takala
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Languages for Special Purposes
This chapter is in the book Languages for Special Purposes

Abstract

English has become a dominant global language in a relatively short period of time (about 50 years) and there are no precedents of a similar dramatic development. This makes it difficult to both explain what factors have contributed to what has happened and it is probably even more difficult to forecast developments with any confidence. Developments in the use of English are likely to vary considerably: forecasting is easier in some domains but much harder in some others. Contributing factors are interconnected and they may be contradictory. ESP is an aspect of the emergence of global English and in this chapter we situate it in this broader context. We discuss to what extent the distinction between English for special purposes and using it for “ordinary” purposes is relevant. We report on the use of English in various domains but focus mainly on publication and education. We suggest that there has not been sufficient attention given to the consequences of dominance of English. We conclude by presenting some reflections on ESP and suggesting some actions that might be appropriate in responding to the challenge of the dominating ESP paradigm.

Abstract

English has become a dominant global language in a relatively short period of time (about 50 years) and there are no precedents of a similar dramatic development. This makes it difficult to both explain what factors have contributed to what has happened and it is probably even more difficult to forecast developments with any confidence. Developments in the use of English are likely to vary considerably: forecasting is easier in some domains but much harder in some others. Contributing factors are interconnected and they may be contradictory. ESP is an aspect of the emergence of global English and in this chapter we situate it in this broader context. We discuss to what extent the distinction between English for special purposes and using it for “ordinary” purposes is relevant. We report on the use of English in various domains but focus mainly on publication and education. We suggest that there has not been sufficient attention given to the consequences of dominance of English. We conclude by presenting some reflections on ESP and suggesting some actions that might be appropriate in responding to the challenge of the dominating ESP paradigm.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Part I: Fundamental Aspects
  5. 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
  6. 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
  7. 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
  8. 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
  9. 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
  10. Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
  11. 6.Legal Language 113
  12. 7.Economic Language 151
  13. 9. Lsps In French 209
  14. 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
  15. 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
  16. 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
  17. 13. Gender And Lsp 267
  18. Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
  19. 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
  20. 15. Controlled Language 289
  21. 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
  22. 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
  23. Part IV: Science Communication
  24. 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
  25. 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
  26. 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
  27. 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
  28. Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
  29. 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
  30. 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
  31. 24. Socioterminology 469
  32. 25.Technical Terminology 489
  33. 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
  34. 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
  35. 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
  36. 29.Legal translation 548
  37. Index 563
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110228014-012

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Part I: Fundamental Aspects
  5. 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
  6. 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
  7. 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
  8. 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
  9. 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
  10. Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
  11. 6.Legal Language 113
  12. 7.Economic Language 151
  13. 9. Lsps In French 209
  14. 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
  15. 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
  16. 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
  17. 13. Gender And Lsp 267
  18. Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
  19. 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
  20. 15. Controlled Language 289
  21. 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
  22. 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
  23. Part IV: Science Communication
  24. 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
  25. 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
  26. 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
  27. 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
  28. Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
  29. 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
  30. 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
  31. 24. Socioterminology 469
  32. 25.Technical Terminology 489
  33. 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
  34. 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
  35. 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
  36. 29.Legal translation 548
  37. Index 563
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