The term ‘globalisation’ is poorly defined in the contemporary lexicon. For example, the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (1993 edition) says simply globalize – make global; globalization – the action or an act of globalizing; from the basic term global – pertaining to or involving the whole world, worldwide.

For many the term globalisation, like ‘global warming’, summarises a major threat to our very existence. However, unlike climatic change, it is within our power to control and if necessary to resolve the threat that developments in communications and in corporate power exercised internationally can diminish or even destroy those individual and cultural variations which give each society a distinctive identity on the world scene. This conference holds the English language to account: hero or villain in the struggle between sameness and difference, power imposed worldwide and power confronted, cultural hegemony and cultural respect.

Globalisation and the ubiquity of English raise many questions for those active in the arts, business and communications; in language policy and in the management of language education. The aim of this event is to bring together key figures from a range of cultural, commercial, linguistic and educational environments to discuss some of these issues. It includes discussion and debate, dialogues and specialist panels, stimulated by leading authorities from a variety of professional contexts in the UK. Participants will be encouraged to contribute their own experience and expertise in exploring issues that are of common concern. The key themes include:

• the effects of globalisation on the vivacity and viability of divergent cultures
• the pluses and minuses of cultural approximation
• the communications demands of the international economy
• the likelihood that the spread of English can create a global ‘mindset’ on socio-political and socio-cultural issues
• the implications of the status of English as the current ‘global’ language for language teaching and learning
• the ways in which the teaching of English can reflect increasing diversity of usage
• the issue of ‘standards’ as norms such as ‘the Queen’s English’ become increasingly irrelevant to the majority of users of English.

Participant profile
The seminar is of interest to all those who are concerned with the use and promotion of English nationally and internationally: policy makers at local, regional and national levels; key personnel in government, the media and education; those responsible for English language teaching, curriculum design and materials development; and those concerned with the health and vitality of other languages worldwide.