A Study Of English Linguistic Imperialism From Memetic Perspective

Along with the wide spread and application of English all over the world, its influences on theother languages, nations and cultures gradually attract people’s attention. Compared with the otherlanguages, English spreads in a wider range in the world. It is spread throughout many countries andareas, such as Europe, Asia, Africa, etc. It has permeated the social life of people innon-English-speaking countries. English can be seen everywhere in these countries, and it brings manychanges and influences to people’s life. The dominance of English gives rise to the study of Englishlinguistic imperialism. Scholars at home and abroad observe, analyse and assess the phenomenon ofEnglish linguistic imperialism. They put forward some measures to solve the problem. In this thesis, theauthor analyses English linguistic imperialism from memetic perspective and finds out meme factors inEnglish linguistic imperialism. The author uses memetics to explain the reasons and influences ofEnglish linguistic imperialism and puts forward some solutions. The purpose is to understand Englishlinguistic imperialism deeply and promote the balance of language ecology.Memetics has been a new theory in the research field of pragmatics in recent years. It imitates thetheory of gene in biology to explain the transmission and development law of things in cultural field. Inthis thesis, the author uses views in memetics to analyse the implicit factors in the development ofEnglish linguistic imperialism. The author adopts qualitative analysis approach as the research methodand applies memetics in pragmatics to the analysis of English linguistic imperialism in sociolinguistics.In this thesis, the author uses memetics to analyse many aspects in the development of Englishlinguistic imperialism, such as English and economy, English and technology, English language teaching,English and culture, etc. Through the integrated study of memetics and these aspects, the author provesthat meme is an important mode of transmission of English linguistic imperialism. Meme factors shouldbe taken seriously in resisting English linguistic imperialism. Through a series of demonstrations, theauthor proves that it is reasonable and necessary to treat English and the other languages correctly andprotect the balance of language ecology. This thesis is an exploratory research that combines memetics with English linguistic imperialism.To observe English linguistic imperialism from the abstract perspective of meme is beneficial to theunderstanding of the underlying factors of English linguistic imperialism. This study will promote theintegration of pragmatics and sociolinguistics. It provides new thinking for the study of Englishlinguistic imperialism.