How English Transcend Boundaries: From Europe to Asia to Africa

Part 2: The New Found Land and Consequential Oppression

Christropher Columbus

It is pretty much common knowledge that Colombus ‘discovered’ the Americas in the way that he initiated its colonization. However, we shouldn’t merely label him as a hero and call that a day: after all, he instanly argued for them to be enslaved, ‘With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want’ (Onion, 2009)

After the Europeans, namely the British, brought their language to the Americas, they brought with it their germs. Whilst the Europeans were almost immunized against it, the indigenous America Indians weren’t. With 50% of their population devastated, they were no match against armed Europeans with guns and cannons and were quickly defeated.

The Forced Imposition of English

The imposition of English on African slaves had several detrimental effects:

1. Loss of Native Languages: Enslaved Africans were often forced to abandon their native languages and speak English. This was a deliberate strategy by slave owners to prevent communication and solidarity among slaves, who came from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
2. Cultural Disconnection: Language is a key component of cultural identity. By losing their native languages, enslaved Africans were also cut off from their cultural heritage, traditions, and histories.
3. Communication Barriers: Initially, many enslaved Africans did not understand English, which created significant communication barriers. This made it difficult for them to understand instructions, express themselves, or advocate for their needs and rights.
4. Creation of Pidgin and Creole Languages: To bridge the communication gap, enslaved Africans developed pidgin and creole languages that combined elements of English with their native languages. While these languages facilitated communication, they were often stigmatized and viewed as inferior.
5. Social and Legal Disadvantages: The inability to speak or fully understand English placed enslaved Africans at a severe disadvantage in social and legal contexts. They were often unable to defend themselves in court or understand legal documents, further entrenching their oppression.

The irony of American Independence

The irony of American independence often centers around the fact that while the Declaration of Independence proclaimed that “all men are created equal,” many of the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, owned slaves¹. This contradiction highlights the gap between the ideals of liberty and the reality of slavery at the time.

Frederick Douglass, a former slave and prominent abolitionist, famously addressed this irony in his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” delivered on July 5, 1852. He pointed out the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while millions were still enslaved².

The First Amendment in Its Entirety…

References

(Onion, 2009)
Onion, A. (2009, November 9). Christopher Columbus. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus