"Globish" is a contraction of "global English". It is a simplified version of the English language that uses only the most common English words and phrases. It is used by non English speakers of various native tongues.
Unlike Basic English, which is the inspiration of the "simple English" version of Wikipedia, Simplified English and Voice of America English, it is not formalized and is built only by common practice.
Uses and alternatives
This use of globish is expanding continuously, as a tool of common understanding in simple international communication. This is due to its practicality, in parallel with the need of communication means that the globalization phenomenom entails.
This expansion goes to the point that some consider it a menace to cultural diversity and language purity. They also find it limited in what they can express with it.
The alternatives, which are constructed languages such as Esperanto or Volapük did not reach the critical threshold in world utilization that their promoters expected, and thus did not until now become common world-wide means of expression, at the difference of globish.
Some attempts at formalizing globish
The term Globish has also be used for some attempts at formalizing it, such as :
- A small subset of English with substantially simplified spelling and pronunciation proposed in 1998 by Madhukar Gogate. For more information see Gogate Globish Profile.
- A small subset of English with conventional spelling and pronunciation, serving as an aid for French-speaking people to learn core English. Promoted in the 2004 (French-language) book Parlez Globish by Jean-Paul Nerrière. For more information see Nerrière Globish Profile.
See also
