Episode 13｜ [全英] 為什麼大家都要學英文？藏在語言背後的權力與秘密

你曾經想過，為什麼我們在學校不是學法文或西班牙文，
而是每個人都覺得「必須」學好英文嗎？

很多人會說，因為英文是國際語言、對找工作有幫助。
但英文之所以會成為全球通用的語言，
背後其實跟歷史、權力，還有經濟影響力有很大的關係。

在這集節目中，課程總監 Chloe 會帶大家認識一個有趣的概念，
讓我們一起看看英文是如何透過歷史與文化的推動，
一步步成為現在這種無所不在的強勢地位。

雖然英文的流行有其歷史背景，但這並不代表我們只能被動接受。
相反地，我們應該把它當成一個強大的工具，
用來武裝自己、跨出舒適圈，並向世界分享你獨特的觀點。

除了精彩的觀點分享，這集我們也準備了五個實用的單字，
讓你學會用英文，聊聊這種深刻的社會觀察。

如果你也想重新思考學習語言的意義，
一起來聽這集吧 💗

逐字稿：

Chloe: Hello everyone, and welcome back to Voices on the Road. I’m your host, Chloe.

Chloe: Before we dive in, as always, you can find the full transcript in the show notes. If you want to take notes while listening, or if you want to learn more about Amie Road, feel free to click the link and check it out! Alright, let's get back to today's topic.
Today, I want to start with a very simple question, but one that we almost never ask ourselves. Have you ever thought about the real reason we learn English?
Why don't we all learn French, or Spanish, or Swahili in school? Why is English the one language that everyone in the world feels they must learn?
You might say, "Because it is an international language!" or "Because it helps me get a good job." And that is true! But why is it an international language?
Today, we are going to talk about a fascinating concept called Linguistic Imperialism.

Chloe: So, what is Linguistic Imperialism?
"Imperialism" is a big word. Historically, it means when one strong country takes control over other countries. "Linguistic Imperialism" means the dominance—the power and control—of one language over others.

English didn't become a global language just because it is a beautiful or easy language. It became global because of history, power, and economics. First, there was the British Empire, which spread the language around the world. Then, in modern times, there is the huge economic and cultural power of the United States—through movies, technology, and business.

But it is very important to understand that the spread of English did not happen automatically by accident. It didn't just spread naturally like the wind! Instead, it was pushed and mediated by specific agencies.

For example, governments make policies about which languages must be taught in schools. Big language institutions promote English tests all over the world. And historically, speaking English was a symbol of the elite group—the richest and most powerful people in society. They were the ones who set the rules and decided that English was the language of education and success.

Because of this, learning English sometimes feels less like a choice and more like a requirement if you want to survive and be successful.

Chloe: But here is the important part: does this mean we should stop learning English? Absolutely not!

At Amie Road, we believe that you can take this powerful tool and use it for your dreams. You don't learn English to forget your own culture. You learn English to empower yourself, to step out of your comfort zone, and to share your unique, nuanced perspective with the rest of the world. English is just a bridge. You decide where the bridge takes you.

Chloe: Now, let’s move to our Vocabulary Corner. Here are five key words from today's episode.

1. Imperialism This is a noun. It refers to a system where one powerful country controls other countries, often influencing their culture and language.

• Example: "Linguistic imperialism explains why English is so dominant in global business."

2. Dominance This means having power and influence over others.

• Example: "The dominance of the English language is obvious on the internet."

3. Elite This is a noun or an adjective. It refers to a small group of people who have a lot of power, money, or influence in society.

• Example: "Historically, speaking a foreign language was a privilege for the elite."

4. Institution This is a large and important organization, like a university, a government department, or a bank.

• Example: "Educational institutions play a big role in deciding what students learn."

5. Empower This is a beautiful verb. It means to give someone the power, confidence, or authority to do something.

• Example: "Learning a new language can truly empower you to travel the world safely."

Chloe: Thank you for listening to Voices on The Road.
If you want to learn more about Amie Road, we are an English learning platform focusing not only on English improvement but also achieving your dream life through English learning.
If you want to know more, please follow us on Instagram: amieroad_official.
I’ll see you in the next one, stay tuned!

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