English between ENL and ELF

Abstract

Starting from English’s international character and Widdowson’s statement referring to no possible claim and ‘custody’ over this language, I have tried to underline a teacher of English as a modern language’s position. The difference between L1 – English as a native language (ENL) and English as lingua franca (EFL) has led to some new aspects that implied a change of attitude as to the place ELF is alloted in the description alongside ENL. Teaching English as a modern language imposes a global vision of the process.

Cuvinte-cheie: limba engleză, limbă, limbă maternă, statut, poziție, lingua franca

REZUMAT

Profesorul de limbă trebuie să aleagă uneori între ceea ce se numeşte limba vorbitorilor nativi şi engleza ca limbă străină. Dublu statut de limbă internaţională şi de lingua franca al limbii engleze pare să ducă la luări de poziţie, la schimbări de mentalitate dar şi la consecinţe în planul dialectic. De aceea predarea-învăţarea limbii engleze în zilele noastre impune o viziune globală a procesului.

LANGUAGE OF PUBLICATION

English

UDC: 811.111(072) 

REFERENCES

Seidlhofer, B. (2001). Brave New English? The European English Messenger, 10(1), 42-48.

Widdowson, H.G. (1994). The Ownership of English. TESOL Quarterly, 28(2), 377-389.

Received: September 1, 2009 | Reviewed: September 12, 2009 | Accepted for publication: October 5, 2009

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