THE RISE OF 'PASSIVE MULTILINGUALISM': HOW GLOBAL ENGLISH IS SILENCING ACTIVE LANGUAGE USE
Keywords:
Passive multilingualism, global English, language attrition, active language use, linguistic agency, multilingualism, language ideology, language shift, language policyAbstract
This paper investigates the emergence of "passive multilingualism" in an era dominated by global English. While many individuals can understand multiple languages, they increasingly use only English in active communication, leading to the erosion of linguistic diversity and diminishing active competence in local or heritage languages. Drawing from sociolinguistic research, language ideology theory, and real-world case studies, the article explores how English's functional dominance promotes linguistic passivity, particularly in multilingual societies. The paper argues that passive multilingualism, while seemingly inclusive, contributes to a silent loss of language agency and advocates for policies and pedagogies that support active language use in education, media, and public life.
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