Prologue: ‘Crazy English’

            ‘Crazy English’ is the phrase that better defines the prologue of Globish. Here McCrum describes how the English language has conquered the whole world. English has transcended frontiers, generations, societies, cultures and politics. Countries and societies such as China, Japan, India, Korea and even Germany have recognized English as an important vehicle for business and communication. In China for example, The Renmin University “also known as the People’s University” has promoted a Friday evening routine that allows students to hold English conversation. Flows in the air a question about this phenomenon; why a country such as China that is known for its communist party welcomes English language as a part of its daily life? This phenomenon tells us “a lot about the aspirations of contemporary Chinese- and the state of the nation” (McCrum).

English also has contributed with the unity of nations. No wonder students in Japan practice their speaking repeating fragments from the speeches of President Barack Obama. Asian countries such as Korea, have transformed English in a kind of ‘crazy language’ that allow people to communicate easily in this foreign language. English language has given birth to many hybrids “like Konglish (English in South Korea), and Manglish (Malay and English).” Same phenomenon occurs in other Hispanic countries where spanglish (Spanish and English) has spread throughout the South American continent. In addition, English is used not only in politics but also in media. McCrum mentions in his prologue how President Mikheil Saakashvili “exploited his fluency in English to dominate the international coverage” during the crisis in Georgia (august 2008).

            Finally, the author questions the role that English language plays in different areas of society. Art, literature, sports and business have been contaminated with the ‘virus’ of English. McCrum uses a metaphor to describe this phenomenon, “of English language has always been to adapt itself, like mercury, to every new contour.”

            As McMcrum says, English has conquered all the nations around the world. I could see the phenomenon during my last visit to Colombia; I saw not only the influence of American culture but also the incursion of the American language into our country. The traditional multicolor signs and advertisement disappeared. Nowadays, stores, malls and even small shopping centers promote their merchandise using signs and advertisement in English. T.V and Radio are also influenced by English. Therefore, young people use a kind of ‘crazy English’ or Spanglish ( Spanish and English) that allow them to be involved with the language of the millennium; ‘Globish.’