A LÍNGUA INGLESA E AS RELAÇÕES COMERCIAIS: ELEMENTOS E REFLEXÕES

Abstract

Abstract: The status of the English Language (EL) can no longer be doubted as the current global language, spoken by the most different peoples all over the world; nor does it challenge the necessity of its use in various contexts and for various purposes. Based on these considerations, we discuss in this article about the role that EL plays in the commercial relations sphere, focusing on some constituent elements of this linguistic universe. We start our ponderations by bringing the theoretical support of authors like Crystal (1995) (2006) and Mckay (2002), among others, to talk about EL as a lingua franca, international language or global language, or “World English”, this last denomination brought by Rajagopalan (2012). Then, we draw a brief history about the origin of the commerce in the world and the communicative possibilities coming from the contacts that it propitiated. And, to conclude our reflections, we address the issue of language barriers in EL interaction, while at the same time we treat language by its cultural focus because we believe that language, culture and language barriers are inseparable topics in language studies. To base our arguments in this regard, we seek support in the works of authors such as Lima (2004), Gerson (2011), Brown (1980) and others.

Key words: Commercial relations. English Language. (Inter) National Business.