English as a Language of Wider Communication

This study examines English as a language of wider communication. The literature is replete with the global relevance of English, as anchored by its diverse use and functionality across the world. For example, in different countries, English is the foundation of the education system basically because it is a language of wider communication; it is very effective in international communication and in intra-national cross-domain communication. The notion of ‘English as a language of wider communication’ can be construed from different perspectives, including job-seeking. Indeed, there are several job opportunities for certificate holders in English. This implies that English is arguably language of wider communication. It is not incidental that speakers of English in non-native settings outnumber speakers of the language in native settings. This situation is informed by the fact that English is a language with which language users can engage in broad-based communication tasks. The literature acknowledges that English is no longer the exclusive property of its native speakers. The rise of nonnative speakers’ proficiency in English is a demonstration of the utilitarian quality of the language. Individuals and groups aspire for proficiency in a language that is potent in communication across domains and walks of life. This study hinges on Afolayan’s (1995:1988) postulation on the feature and roles of a foreign (global) language in a multilingual nation. The study concludes that the English language is a language of wider communication for different reasons including: the broad coverage of the speakers of English, the communicative vitality of English in the era of globalization, the cross-facet functions of English in non-native settings and the potency of English in career pursuits.