Our Children Will Speak Chinese

Our children might or might not know English, but they will undoubtedly speak Chinese. This sounds like an absurd prophecy; nonetheless, it is true. The ever-growing economy of China, the empowered Chinese middle-class, and the concerted effort of the Chinese government to spread the language are all at play here. If the next four to five decades don’t bring any surprises, using the Chinese language will definitely be a necessary skill for a global citizen. Colonialism spread the English language. The English colonisers needed English speakers to plunder the resources of the natives. So, English became a commercial language. After decolonisation, English speakers received (and still receive) preferable status in commerce, education, and employment. English speakers can trade globally, study at most universities of the world, and work in multi-national corporations. The same is happening with the Chinese language. Except, China does not need to Colonise half the planet to spread its lingo — its robust economy is enough. Every country wants to trade with China. From Cuba to North Korea, to countries like Pakistan and Australia, no one can afford NOT to do business with China! And effective trade requires a standard language. Like the British, who preferred English to be the medium of communication, the Chinese favour Mandarin. The Chinese government is also rather keen to spread its language. The Chinese government has established numerous Confucius institutes all around the world. These institutions are a way for China to extend its “soft power” and it plays a vital role in educating foreigners about Chinese culture. Moreover, the Chinese government provides hundreds and thousands of students with government scholarships every year to study in China. One condition for receiving these scholarships is to effectively learn the Chinese language. The growing number of educated middle-class in China is another factor. Today, many Chinese doctors, engineers, and scientists significantly participate in academia and practice. These individuals are actively sought after by universities, governments, and other institutions for their contribution and insight. So, it is inevitable that the Chinese language will break the English language’s hegemony over global education. The rise of China does not necessarily mean that the English language will lose its importance. However, the cosmopolite of tomorrow is unquestionably bilingual. If you don’t believe me, just Google “Donald Trump’s Mandarin-speaking granddaughter”.