The English Language Department at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) organized a seminar yesterday titled:”Thinking through the impacts of the globalization of English(es)”. This event is the third of its kind in IUG’s series of online joint events with AHRC Research. The seminar was attended by Dr. Nazmi Al-Masri, IUG Vice President for External Relations, Dr. Mahmud Baroud , Head of English Department, faculty staff and students from the department.
The seminar was divided into two parts with an interlude in between them to allow the audience to ask questions. Dr. Prue Holmes (Durham University) began by talking about the globalization of the English language. She spoke about the emergence of using the English language for curriculum content teaching in universities.
A number of academic institutions require a native-like proficiency of the language. While exam systems such as ILETS focus on a deep understanding of skills like grammar and writing, they often set aside the communicative and intercultural aspect of language.
Dr. Jane Andrews ( University of West England UWE), asked the question of which language to teach. Certain languages, due to political, educational and even racial criteria, are granted an advantage over others. The idea of power relation and hierarchy were discussed in this context. There has also been a critique on the use of the English language for curriculum teaching in foreign schools. Some thought that children’s early exposure of the language would be beneficial while other stressed the idea of integrating languages that are not the mother tongue instead of granting them full dominance.
The second part of the seminar discussed the process of Multilanguage research in terms of definition, literature review, and ethical issues of subjective involvement among other topics. Multimodal research is not merely translation work but rather a full engagement with the target audience and issue. Multimodal research often views translators and interpreters as co-researchers. This kind of research papers requires flexibility, especially when it comes to the level of comfort for both the researchers and participants. Another issue has to do with publication. Should the research include quotes from the original language or just translation? A number of editors and publication houses are now considering printing in different languages.
The speakers concluded by talking about the impact of globalization and the importance of building international relationships.
