So al-jazeera's english-language service is five years old. The CIA attempt to steal its thunder by setting up a US Arab-oriented news service hardly took off - more fishy (strictly small-scale) than phish. And the station's remit has expanded to give voice to the voiceless everywhere.
As Hilary Clinton said this week, America is still being left behind in getting its message heard. Even the Ruskies have an english-language broadcasting service. English, or "english" is the language of the computer age and is the long-established default option for any gathering of three or more differing linguists. Ironically, its dominance is due in great part to America's ubiquitous cultural presence (thank you, Mr Disney), so in a way, the US provided the rest of the world with the tool to cut it the cold shoulder.
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Walt aside, the Raj had a lot to do with cultural oppression and thereby imposition of the english language over an empire upon which the sun never set, and which justified the BBC World Service -- something John Lennon championed during is touring days as a way of keeping in touch with Blighty. Aye, they English have a lot to answer for.
ReplyDeleteFrae an expat Scot, now a Canadian correspondent.