ABSTRACT

This article critically analyses the extent to which research in the field of English and development in the global South supports the claim that English can contribute to development. Particular reference is made to the Colombian context, which, along with several other countries in Latin America, has prioritised English language teaching in recent years through a series of initiatives. In doing so this paper highlights domains where English skills may be more or less useful in developing contexts in general and in Colombia more specifically and identifies factors which may influence the role of English in development. To aid in this analysis, this article draws on Phillipson’s (Linguistic imperialism. Oxford University Press, 1992) theory of linguistic imperialism and relevant literature which looks at the role of English and development in the global South. The paper argues that although English may foster development in domains such as employment, trade, migration, and education, this is contingent upon a range of personal and contextual factors including level of Englishand socioeconomic status. It is also argued that, regardless of the contribution that English can make to development, interests in the global North are benefitting from the proliferation of this language in developing contexts.

摘要

本文批判性地分析了英语和全球南方发展领域的研究在多大程度上支持了英语可以促进发展的说法。特别提到了哥伦比亚的情况，该国与拉丁美洲的其他几个国家一起，近年来通过一系列举措优先考虑英语教学。在此过程中，本文重点介绍了英语技能在一般情况下以及更具体地在哥伦比亚可能或多或少有用的领域，并确定了可能影响英语在发展中的作用的因素。为了帮助这一分析，本文借鉴了菲利普森的（语言帝国主义. 牛津大学出版社，1992 年）语言帝国主义理论和相关文献，着眼于英语在全球南方的作用和发展。该论文认为，尽管英语可以促进就业、贸易、移民和教育等领域的发展，但这取决于一系列个人和背景因素，包括英语水平和社会经济地位。还有人认为，无论英语对发展做出何种贡献，全球北方的利益都受益于这种语言在发展中环境中的扩散。