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Will Mandarin Chinese replace English as the next world language? Will Mandarin Chinese replace English as the next world language?
Yes, Mandarin will become the next world language Yes, Mandarin will become the next world language
No, English will remain the world's international language No, English will remain the world's international language
Mandarin Chinese and English will coexist Mandarin Chinese and English will coexist
Mandarin is an economic necessity Mandarin is an economic necessity
China spreads cultural influence through Mandarin China spreads cultural influence through Mandarin
It is more beneficial to learn English than Mandarin It is more beneficial to learn English than Mandarin
English is politically neutral English is politically neutral
US pop culture is globally prevalent US pop culture is globally prevalent
Mandarin is too difficult Mandarin is too difficult
English is the language of business, science, and tech English is the language of business, science, and tech
Mandarin-English bilingualism is more needed than ever Mandarin-English bilingualism is more needed than ever
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Will Mandarin Chinese replace English as the next world language?
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Mandarin Chinese and English will coexist

< (3 of 3)

Mandarin-English bilingualism is more needed than ever

English is no longer the main global language. While English may not be going anywhere anytime soon, Mandarin (and China's influence) will spread even more, necessitating more Mandarin-English bilingualism internationally.
Barack Obama
< (1 of 1)

Context

Though Mandarin Chinese replacing English may seem unlikely, many English speakers see the benefits of bilingualism, specifically English-Mandarin bilingualism, in an increasingly connected world.

The Argument

English-speaking countries see the value and need for English-Mandarin bilingualism. The U.S. government considers Mandarin a "critical language," a language that U.S. Americans should learn to help U.S. national security.[1] The UK[2] and Ireland[3] hope to increase the number of students learning Mandarin Chinese. As more English-speaking countries see the need for English-Mandarin bilingualism, both languages can potentially become more widely used. More English speakers are investing in learning Mandarin because they see the language as economically profitable. More parents in the US, the UK, and Malaysia are sending their children to English-Mandarin bilingual schools. Many parents want their children to learn Mandarin because they see it as a language that will give socioeconomic opportunities for their children.[4][5][6] Several high-profile English-speakers, such as Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, and Jeff Bezos are paying for their children to start learning Mandarin early.[7] If more young English-speakers embrace language-learning, Mandarin specifically, then Mandarin and English may coexist as two important global languages in the future.

Counter arguments

The boom in Mandarin learning may not be permanent. In the 1980s, many predicted that Japanese would be the next language of business and technology, which caused more people to learn Japanese.[7] The fad was short-lived, and today, English is still the language of globalization.

Proponents

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.nsep.gov/content/critical-languages
  2. https://news.cgtn.com/news/34517a4d32597a6333566d54/index.html
  3. https://news.cgtn.com/news/7a4d7a4e30637a6333566d54/index.html
  4. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2017-10/13/content_33190150.htm
  5. https://www.epsomcollege.edu.my/2019/06/20/the-significance-of-mandarin-as-the-next-global-language/
  6. https://www.degruyter.com/view/journals/glochi/4/1/article-p1.xml
  7. https://www.businessinsider.com/wealthy-families-teaching-kids-to-speak-mandarin-2017-11#jeff-and-mackenzie-bezos-1
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 25 Aug 2020 at 22:53 UTC