The Impact of English as an Imperialist Language on EFL learners’ Cultural Identity. Case Study: First Year Master LMD Students of English at the University of 8 Mai 1945, Guelma.

Abstract

Linguistic imperialism is concerned with transferring the dominant language to other people, the fact that cannot be realized without involving the transfer of its cultural aspects through the phenomenon of globalization. It is a demonstration of power which traditionally was a military but became, in the modern world, an economic one. The current research aims at exploring the role that English as an imperialist language has in the change of EFL learners’ cultural identity.Thus, it is hypothesized that English as an imperialist language would affect EFL learners’ cultural identity. The study adopts the descriptive approach through using students’ questionnaire and teachers’ interview so as to collect their views and perceptions regarding the topic in question. The sample of the present research encompasses eighty-five (85) first year Master students and six (6) teachers from the Department of English, 8 Mai 1945 University-Guelma. The results indicate that indeed learning English has an effect on EFL learners’ cultural identity. That effect is positive for some of the learners since their world views have changed after learning the English language, as they felt the formation of a bicultural identity -Algerian and Foreign one-, and discovering of their uniqueness and willingness to accept current and future changes in their cultural identity. For others, the effect is negative considering that the learning of English caused them feelings of bias and confusion towards and about their cultural identity.