Anglocentrism

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Anglocentrism is the perceived cultural, economical, historical, political and social bias, ethnocentrism or dominance in favor of Anglo-Saxon or Anglophone perspectives, often to the marginalization of other cultures in various aspects of global affairs. Historically, the phenomenon stems from the British Empire's extensive influence and the global spread of the English language that often manifests encompassing various aspects of life, including literature, media, politics, and cultural norms on a global scale.

Critics argue that anglocentrism can contribute to a limited worldview and hinder global inclusivity by overshadowing the rich diversity of global cultures and histories, and highlight the acknowledgement of the contributions of various societies beyond the Anglosphere. Proponents may assert its role in shaping major global institutions and fostering common linguistic and legal frameworks. The term is subject to ongoing discourse and analysis in discussions surrounding cultural diversity, globalization, and international relations.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]

Anglocentrism often manifests in the prioritization of occidentalist perspectives in international discourse, media, and diplomacy. It is important to note that while this phenomenon is commonly associated with cultural imperialism, it can also be unintentional.

Historic context

The historical roots of Anglocentrism can be traced back to the widespread influence of the British Empire during the 19th and 20th centuries which spanned several centuries, controlled vast swathes across the globe, and had a profound impact on global culture and power dynamics. At its zenith, the English language became a dominant force, contributing to the propagation of anglocentric cultural norms and values.This historic legacy continues to reinforcing the perception of its superiority today.

Cultural and linguistic imperialism

Anglocentrism is often evident in the global linguistic landscape, i.e media, movies, music; in international business, communication, diplomacy; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics where English language serves as the global lingua franca. This linguistic imperialism can impact the representation of diverse cultures and languages, potentially marginalizing non-anglophone perspectives, and contributing to a global communication imbalance where non-native English speakers may face challenges in having their voices heard, and accessing resources and opportunities.

Hollywood, for example, has played a pivotal role in shaping global popular culture, sometimes overshadowing local cultural expressions.The global dissemination of anglophone movies and TV shows contributes to the perception of English culture as normative.This phenomenon has raised debates about cultural imperialism and the preservation of diverse cultural identities.

Neocolonialism

Anglocentrism also extends into the political and economic realms, where anglophone countries often hold significant influence in intergovernmental organizations like United Nations and financial institutions like International Monetary Fund and World Bank. This influence has implications for global policies, trade agreements, and the distribution of resources, prompting discussions about fairness and representation.

Criticism and challenges

Critics argue that Anglocentrism may perpetuate to cultural homogenization, stifling linguistic and cultural diversity through educational systems that prioritize anglocentric literature and history, leading to a distorted worldview that hinders mutual understanding among diverse societies. Additionally, some contend that it perpetuates an anglocentric worldview, limiting the understanding of alternative cultural paradigms. It may lead to the permanent indigenous linguicide and the marginalization of non-anglophone communities.

In conclusion, Anglocentrism remains a complex and debated phenomenon with far-reaching implications for global society. Acknowledging and addressing its impact is crucial for fostering inclusivity, understanding, and a more equitable world.

Counteraction and awareness

Efforts to counteract Anglocentrism include promoting multilingualism,^[9] encouraging the translation of literature from indigenous languages, advocating representation of various cultures in global media and fostering a more inclusive approach of diverse cultural narratives in international relations. Global initiatives seek to create a more inclusive discourse that recognizes the value of non-English languages and perspectives.

References

^ Crystal, David. (2003). English as a Global Language. Cambridge University Press.
^ Said, Edward. (1978). Orientalism. Vintage Books.
^ Tomlinson, John. (2007). Cultural Imperialism: A Critical Introduction. Continuum International Publishing Group.
^ Pennycook, A. (1994). The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language. Longman.
^ Smith, J. (2005). "Anglocentrism and Its Discontents: The Production of Knowledge and the Challenge of the Global Intellectual." Journal of World History, 16(4), 437-457.
^ Smith, J. (2005). "Anglocentrism: Unraveling the Threads." International Journal of Cultural Studies, 8(2), 123-140.
^ Kim, A. (2010). "Language and Power: The Impact of English on Global Governance." Journal of International Affairs, 63(1), 89-106.
^ Garcia, M. (2018). "Cultural Hegemony and Globalization: The Role of Anglocentrism." Global Studies Quarterly, 12(4), 567-584.
^ García, O., & Baker, C. (2007). "Bilingual Education: An Introductory Reader." Multilingual Matters.

English-speaking world

Further links

Articles

Lists

Countries and territories where English is the national language or the native language of the majority
Africa	Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Americas	Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda The Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Dominica Falkland Islands Grenada Guyana Jamaica Montserrat Saba Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands
Europe	Guernsey Ireland Isle of Man Jersey United Kingdom
Oceania	Australia New Zealand Norfolk Island Pitcairn Islands

Countries and territories where English is an official language, but not the majority first language
Africa	Botswana Cameroon Eswatini The Gambia Ghana Kenya Lesotho Liberia Malawi Mauritius Namibia Nigeria Rwanda Sierra Leone Somaliland South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Americas	Puerto Rico
Asia	Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Hong Kong India Pakistan Philippines Singapore
Europe	Gibraltar Akrotiri and Dhekelia Malta
Oceania	American Samoa Cook Islands Fiji Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Micronesia Nauru Niue Northern Mariana Islands Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tokelau Tuvalu Vanuatu

Dependencies shown in italics.

British Empire

Legend: Current territory; Former territory; * Now a Commonwealth realm; Now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations

Culture:Anglosphere

Europe
1542–1800 Ireland (integrated into the UK) 1708–1757, 1763–1782 and 1798–1802 Minorca Since 1713 Gibraltar 1794–1796 Corsica 1800–1813 Malta (Protectorate) 1813–1964 Malta (Colony) 1807–1890 Heligoland 1809–1864 Ionian Islands 1878–1960 Cyprus 1921–1931 Irish Free State Since 1960 Akrotiri and Dhekelia (before as part of Cyprus)

Africa

17th and 18th centuries	19th century		20th century
Since 1658 Saint Helena²³ 1792–1961 Sierra Leone 1795–1803 Cape Colony	Since 1815 Ascension Island²³ Since 1816 Tristan da Cunha²³ 1806–1910 Cape of Good Hope 1807–1808 Madeira 1810–1968 Mauritius 1816–1965 The Gambia 1856–1910 Natal 1862–1906 Lagos 1868–1966 Basutoland⁶ 1874–1957 Gold Coast⁷ 1882–1922 Egypt	1884–1900 Niger Coast 1884–1966 Bechuanaland⁸ 1884–1960 Somaliland 1887–1897 Zululand 1890–1962 Uganda 1890–1963 Zanzibar⁹ 1891–1964 Nyasaland¹⁰ 1891–1907 Central Africa 1893–1968 Swaziland¹¹ 1895–1920 East Africa 1899–1956 Sudan	1900–1914 Northern Nigeria 1900–1914 Southern Nigeria 1900–1910 Orange River 1900–1910 Transvaal 1903–1976 Seychelles 1910–1931 South Africa 1914–1960 Nigeria 1915–1931 South-West Africa¹² 1919–1961 Cameroons¹³ 1920–1963 Kenya 1922–1961 Tanganyika¹³ 1923–1965 and 1979–1980 Southern Rhodesia¹⁴ 1924–1964 Northern Rhodesia¹⁵

6. Now Lesotho.
7. Now Ghana.
8. Now Botswana.
9. Now part of Tanzania.
10. Now Malawi.
11. Now named Eswatini.
12. Now Namibia.
13. League of Nations mandate. British Cameroons is now part of Cameroon, while Tanganyika is part of Tanzania.
14. Self-governing Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence in 1965 (as Rhodesia) and continued as an unrecognised state until the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement. After recognised independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was a member of the Commonwealth until it withdrew in 2003.
15. Now Zambia.

Asia

17th and 18th centuries	19th century		20th century
1685–1824 Bencoolen 1702–1705 Pulo Condore 1757–1947 Bengal 1762–1764 Manila and Cavite 1781–1784 and 1795–1819 Padang 1786–1946 Penang 1795–1948 Ceylon¹⁶ 1796–1965 Maldives	1811–1816 Java 1812–1824 Banka and Billiton 1819–1826 Malaya 1824–1948 Burma 1826–1946 Straits Settlements 1839–1967 Aden Colony 1839–1842 Afghanistan 1841–1997 Hong Kong 1841–1946 Sarawak¹⁷ 1848–1946 Labuan 1858–1947 India¹⁸ 1874–1963 Borneo	1879–1919 Afghanistan (protectorate) 1882–1963 North Borneo¹⁷ 1885–1946 Unfederated Malay States 1888–1984 Brunei 1891–1971 Muscat and Oman 1892–1971 Trucial States 1895–1946 Federated Malay States 1898–1930 Weihai 1878–1960 Cyprus	1907–1949 Bhutan (protectorate) 1918–1961 Kuwait 1920–1932 Mesopotamia¹⁹ 1921–1946 Transjordan⁸ 1923–1948 Palestine¹⁹ 1945–1946 South Vietnam 1946–1963 North Borneo 1946–1963 Sarawak 1946–1963 Singapore 1946–1948 Malayan Union 1948–1957 Federation of Malaya¹⁷ Since 1965 British Indian Ocean Territory (before as part of Mauritius and Seychelles)²⁶

16. Now Sri Lanka.
17. Now part of Malaysia.
18. Now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
19. League of Nations mandate. Iraq's mandate was not enacted and replaced by the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty
26. Legitimacy of territorial establishment disputed

North America

17th century and before		18th century	19th and 20th centuries
1579 New Albion 16th c.–1880 British Arctic Territories 1583–1907 Newfoundland 1605–1979 *Saint Lucia 1607–1776 Virginia Since 1619 Bermuda 1620–1691 Plymouth 1623–1983 Saint Kitts 1624–1966 *Barbados 1625–1650 Saint Croix 1627–1979 *Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1628–1983 Nevis 1629–1691 Massachusetts-Bay 1632–1776 Maryland since 1632 Montserrat 1632–1860 Antigua 1635–1644 Saybrook 1636–1776 Connecticut 1636–1776 Rhode Island 1637–1662 New Haven	1643–1860 Bay Islands Since 1650 Anguilla 1655–1860 Mosquito Coast 1655–1962 *Jamaica 1663–1712 Carolina 1664–1776 New-York 1665–1674 and 1702–1776 New-Jersey Since 1666 Virgin Islands Since 1670 Cayman Islands 1670–1973 *Bahamas 1670–1870 Rupert's Land 1671–1816 Leeward Islands 1674–1702 East Jersey 1674–1702 West Jersey 1680–1776 New Hampshire 1681–1776 Pennsylvania 1686–1689 New England 1691–1776 Massachusetts-Bay	1701–1776 Delaware 1712–1776 North-Carolina 1712–1776 South-Carolina 1713–1867 Nova-Scotia 1733–1776 Georgia 1754–1820 Cape Breton Island 1762–1974 *Grenada 1763–1978 Dominica 1763–1873 Prince Edward Island 1763–1791 Quebec 1763–1783 East Florida 1763–1783 West Florida 1784–1867 New Brunswick 1791–1841 Lower Canada 1791–1841 Upper Canada Since 1799 Turks and Caicos Islands	1818–1846 Columbia District/Oregon Country¹ 1833–1960 Windward Islands 1833–1960 Leeward Islands 1841–1867 Canada 1843 Paulet affair 1849–1866 Vancouver Island 1853–1863 Queen Charlotte Islands 1858–1866 British Columbia 1859–1870 North-Western Territory 1860–1981 *Antigua and Barbuda 1862–1863 Stickeen 1866–1871 British Columbia 1867–1931 *Dominion of Canada² 1871–1981 *Belize 1882–1983 *Saint Kitts and Nevis 1889–1962 Trinidad and Tobago 1907–1949 Newfoundland³ 1958–1962 West Indies Federation 1967–1983 West Indies Associated States

1. Occupied jointly with the United States.
2. In 1931, Canada and other British dominions obtained self-government through the Statute of Westminster. See Name of Canada.
3. Gave up self-rule in 1934, but remained a de jure Dominion until it joined Canada in 1949.

Oceania

18th and 19th centuries		20th century
1788–1901 New South Wales 1803–1901 Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania 1807–1863 Auckland Islands²⁰ 1824–1980 New Hebrides²¹ 1824–1901 Queensland 1829–1901 Swan River/Western Australia 1836–1901 South Australia since 1838 Pitcairn Islands	1841–1907 New Zealand 1846–1847 North Australia 1851–1901 Victoria 1874–1970 Fiji 1877–1976 Western Pacific Territories 1884–1902 Papua 1888–1901 Rarotonga/Cook Islands²⁰ 1889–1948 Union Islands²⁰ 1892–1979 Gilbert and Ellice Islands²² 1893–1978 *Solomon Islands	1900–1970 Tonga 1900–1974 Niue²⁰ 1901–1942 *Australia 1907–1947 *New Zealand 1914–1962 Samoa 1919–1942 and 1945–1968 Nauru

20. Now part of the *Realm of New Zealand.
21. Now Vanuatu.
22. Now Kiribati and *Tuvalu.

South America
1631–1641 Providence Island 1651–1667 Willoughbyland 1670–1688 Saint Andrew and Providence Islands⁴ 1831–1966 Guiana Since 1833 Falkland Islands⁵ Since 1908 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands⁵
4. Now a department of Colombia. 5. Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April–June 1982.

Antarctica and the South Atlantic
Since 1658 Saint Helena²³ Since 1815 Ascension Island²³ Since 1816 Tristan da Cunha²³ Since 1833 Falkland Islands 1841–1933 Australian Antarctic Territory (transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia) 1841–1947 Ross Dependency (transferred to the Realm of New Zealand) Since 1908 British Antarctic Territory²⁴ Since 1908 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands²⁵
23. Since 2009 part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; Ascension Island (1922–) and Tristan da Cunha (1938–) were previously dependencies of Saint Helena. 24. Claimed in 1908; territory formed 1962; overlaps portions of Argentine and Chilean claims, borders not enforced but claim not renounced under the Antarctic Treaty. 25. Claimed in 1908; territory formed 1985