Modernity and globalisation: is the presence of English and of cultural products in English a sign of linguistic and cultural imperialism? Results of a study conducted in Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract This article looks at language use and attitudes in Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia through a survey conducted among 88 university students for each country. The focus of the article, however, is on the expanding use of English, particularly as far as media consumption is concerned, relating this with issues of globalisation and linguistic and cultural imperialism. The article opens with a general overview of the concepts of modernity, globalisation and linguistic and cultural imperialism and the relation between language and culture, followed by a brief sociolinguistic introduction to Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. There follows an explanation of the methodology employed and the presentation of the results of the survey and their analysis. The article closes with a discussion on the influence English and cultural products in English are exerting on the local languages and cultures in both countries, as evidenced in the survey.