According to a statistical compilation done by Kevin Walter and Philip Tomlinson for the State of the World Forum, 80% of websites in the World Wide Web are in English. The percentage of people who understand English, however, is only 10% of the six billion plus population of the world.
It is beyond doubt that English enjoys hegemony over the internet. It does not require further proof that many of the languages all over the world are not online. A big portion therefore of the six billion plus population does not enjoy the full benefits of the technological advances.
Many would claim that the use of predominantly one language, specifically English, online would foster unity and greater connectivity. But others would argue that it further promotes homogeneity to the detriment of indigenous or minority languages.
But whether use of English on Internet be bane or boon, it remains uncontested that it is the lingua franca of the net. And while the call for research for universally accessible technology by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon remains to be heeded, non-Englishes should see this as an opportunity. This should be seen as a challenge to the other languages to adapt and stand the test of time. The words of anthropologist Bill Reid ring clear. Cultures, [through languages,] should keep inventing or using new things to be able to survive and a culture [or language] that does not do this will eventually perish.
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