LINGUISTIC IMPERIALISM AND THE GLOBAL DOMINANCE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

The global dominance of English has become a defining feature of contemporary globalization, shaping academic discourse, economic participation, and cross-cultural communication. However, this dominance is not ideologically neutral; it reflects historically embedded power relations and continues to reproduce structural inequalities. This study critically examines the phenomenon of linguistic imperialism in relation to the global spread of English, integrating classical theoretical perspectives with recent empirical research (2020-2025). Employing a qualitative, literature-based methodology and critical discourse analysis, the paper explores how English maintains hegemonic status through institutional policies, digital infrastructures, and global knowledge production systems. The findings indicate that while English functions as a necessary lingua franca facilitating global mobility and information exchange, it simultaneously contributes to linguistic marginalization, epistemic inequality, and cultural homogenization. The study argues that contemporary linguistic imperialism operates in subtle, systemic ways, particularly through education systems and digital platforms. The article concludes by advocating for decolonial and multilingual language policies that balance global communicative efficiency with linguistic justice and cultural sustainability.