Biliterate and trilingual. 3. The myth of "internationalization" constitutes "English hegemony"

Dutch sociologist Abram de Swaan (Abram de Swaan) proposed the "global language system" pyramid, which divides the languages ​​of the world into four categories: peripheral languages, central languages, super central languages, and extreme central languages Among them, English, as the "extremely central language", sits firmly at the top of the pyramid and is an international language commonly used all over the world.

It is like the "international currency" US dollar, with strong "network externalities", dominating international cultural and economic and trade exchanges, and many countries and regions seem to be able to enjoy a better environment as long as they can communicate with developed countries in English. future.

Hong Kong is deeply caught up in the myth that "Englishization is equivalent to internationalization".

"Reflection on Biliteracy and Trilingualism" Series Report No. 7

TOEFL (TOEFL) is an English proficiency test organized by the American Educational Testing Service. Most American universities or research institutes require foreign students to submit a certain standard TOEFL test score when applying.

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A series of biliterate and trilingual reports will be published this week:

Biliterate and trilingual.

1. The language drift of Hong Kong people-"Bibliography and Trilingualism" has become "Emphasis on English than Chinese"

Biliterate and trilingual.

2｜The history of colonialism opens the "English wave"

Biliterate and trilingual.

3. The myth of "internationalization" constitutes "English hegemony"

Biliterate and trilingual.

Four｜Blind "elitism" contributes to "English fever"

Biliterate and trilingual.

Five | Cannot avoid politics "mother tongue teaching" is simply a false proposition

Biliterate and trilingual.

六｜Unclear target language policy emphasizes "efficiency" and ignores "function"

Biliterate and trilingual.

7. How should the SAR government revise the "biliterate and trilingual" policy?

For details, please read the in-depth report "

published on November 1, 2021