Dominant language in science

Main thing

Dominance of a language in science means that it is the most widely used language for scientific communication, including publications, conferences, and collaborations.
Throughout history, different languages have held this dominant position, reflecting the scientific, economic, and political influence of various nations and cultures. In ancient times, Greek and Latin were the dominant languages of science, followed by Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. Later, Latin, French, German, and English each played significant roles in different scientific fields and eras. Today, English has become the dominant language in science, but this may change in the future as global power dynamics shift.

Factors leading to the dominance of a language in science:

1. Economic and political dominance allows countries to fund scientists and their research

2. Well-funded scientists can use more advanced tools and hire more help

3. These scientists make more discoveries, publications, and books

4. Other scientists learn from these influential scientists and try to join them

5. New discoveries drive further economic dominance, reinforcing the cycle

Example: A researcher from Japan can easily collaborate with a scientist from Brazil by communicating in English and publishing their joint work in an international scientific journal.

Terms

• Science – the systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis, with the aim of understanding its principles and mechanisms. Example: Biology, physics, and chemistry are all branches of science.

• Scientific publication – a written work, such as a research article or review paper, that reports original scientific findings or analyses existing research. Example: A research article published in the journal "Nature" describing a new discovery in genetics.

• International collaboration – a cooperative effort between scientists from different countries to conduct research, share resources, or work towards a common goal. Example: A team of researchers from the United States, Germany, and China working together to develop a new renewable energy technology.

• Globalization of science – the increasing interconnectedness of scientific research and collaboration across national borders, facilitated by advances in communication and transportation technologies. Example: The rapid sharing of information about the COVID-19 pandemic among scientists worldwide.

An analogy

The dominance of English in science is like the role of a common currency in global trade.
Just as having a widely accepted currency facilitates international commerce by providing a standard medium of exchange, using English as the primary language in science enables researchers from different countries to easily share their ideas and findings, fostering global scientific progress.

Example: A scientist from Russia can attend a conference in the United States and present their research in English, making it accessible to a wide audience of international researchers.

A main misconception

Some people believe that the dominance of English in science is a result of a conspiracy by English-speaking countries to maintain their influence and control over global scientific discourse.
However, the rise of English as the lingua franca of science is more accurately attributed to a combination of historical, economic, and practical factors, such as the scientific and technological advances made by English-speaking countries, the increasing globalization of research, and the need for a common language to facilitate international collaboration.

Example: While some may view the dominance of English in science as a form of linguistic imperialism, it is essential to recognize the practical benefits of having a common language for scientific communication, which enables researchers from diverse backgrounds to share their knowledge and work together towards common goals.

The history

1. Ancient Greece (6th century BCE - 2nd century CE): Greek was the primary language of science and philosophy, with influential works by scholars such as Aristotle, Euclid, and Ptolemy.

2. Roman Empire (2nd century BCE - 5th century CE): Latin became the dominant language of science and education in Europe, with important works by scholars such as Pliny the Elder and Galen.

3. Islamic Golden Age (8th century - 14th century): Arabic emerged as a major language of science, with significant contributions in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and chemistry by scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn al-Haytham.

4. 17th-19th centuries: Early modern scientific communication was dominated by Latin, with contributions from various European languages such as French (particularly in mathematics and astronomy), German (in chemistry and physics), and English (in natural history and geology).

5. Late 19th-early 20th centuries: German and French emerged as leading languages in science, with German dominating in fields such as chemistry, physics, and medicine, while French maintained its influence in mathematics and biology. English and Russian also made significant contributions during this period.

6. Post-World War II: English began to dominate scientific communication, driven by the economic and scientific prominence of the United States and the United Kingdom.

7. Late 20th-early 21st centuries: The dominance of English in science continued to grow, fueled by the increasing globalization of research and the rise of digital communication technologies.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." - Albert Einstein, renowned German-born theoretical physicist, famous for his groundbreaking work on the theory of relativity and his contributions to the development of quantum mechanics.

Three cases how to use it right now

1. A high school student interested in pursuing a career in science should focus on developing their English language skills, as it will be essential for reading scientific literature, attending international conferences, and collaborating with researchers from other countries.

2. A university professor in a non-English speaking country should encourage their students to practice writing and presenting their research in English, as it will increase the visibility and impact of their work within the global scientific community.

3. A researcher working on a cutting-edge project should actively seek out international collaborators and communicate their findings in English, as this will help them stay at the forefront of their field and contribute to the global advancement of scientific knowledge.

Interesting facts

• Approximately 80% of all scientific journal articles are published in English.

• The top 10 most cited scientific journals are all published in English.

• In 2011, an estimated 80% of all the data in the world's computers was in English.

• The first scientific journal, "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society," was published in English in 1665.

• Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists in history, wrote his groundbreaking work "Principia Mathematica" (1687) in Latin, which was the dominant language of scientific communication at the time. However, he did write some of his other works, such as "Opticks" (1704), in English, reflecting the gradual shift towards vernacular languages in scientific writing.