Date of Award
5-2023
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts, BA
School
CAS
Department
World Languages & Cultural Studies Department
Faculty Advisor
Barbara Abrams
Abstract
The term Lingua Franca can be dated back to the Middle Ages, where the “Frankish language” was a French-and-Italian-based jargon spoken between crusaders and traders in the Eastern Mediterranean to optimize communication through a common tongue. Today, English is the Lingua Franca of Europe and, just like the Lingua Franca of the Middle Ages, optimizes communication between those in a culturally and linguistically rich continent.
English- due to several historical reasons, including the internationalization of Europe following World War II, competitive economic world powers, such as the United States, the expansion of the internet, among others- has proven to be practical and beneficial in modern Europe. English has become the language of science and business, creating several motivational factors for the language to be taught from a very young age in hope for professional, academic, and economic success in adulthood.
This thesis investigates the reasons for the recent, rapid growth of English speakers and proficiency levels in Europe, as well as present and future implications of linguistic homogenization.
Recommended Citation
Kotval, Liliana, "The Lingua Anglica" (2023). Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects. 30.
https://dc.suffolk.edu/undergrad/30