The Effect Of Globalisation On Cultural Identity

Today, in an age when various cultures themselves are under threat, the question of cultural identity becomes newly problematic. This essay argues that globalisation has an effect upon the cultural identities of people. Globalisation refers to all those processes by which the people of the world are incorporated into a single world society, global society (Abrow, 1990). This essay will discuss the effect of globalisation on cultural identity and its consequences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The demographic imbalance, medias effects towards societies, and the theory of loss of language will be analysed to justify in what ways globalisation is causing the infusion of Emirati culture.

Firstly, the demographic imbalance in the UAE has led

The media has an immediate effect of one’s perception of social reality, whether consciously aware of what is being displayed or not; it plays a large role in influencing utilisation patterns and lifestyles. With advances in technology and communications, the world becomes deterritorised (Robertson, 1996), the constraints of geography shrink and the world becomes more singular and unified (Waters, 2011). Researchers noted television’s power to influence people who are illiterate. In fact, (Smith-Speck and Roy, 2008) explained that individuals who cannot read or write can be highly influenced by commercials to purchase certain products, or adapt certain lifestyle values. Engaging in any media, no matter what form it may be; media is conveying what we should buy, who we should be and who we should become. Some effects of globalisation can be seen through, for example, wearing Adidas clothing, listening to iPods, watching Western television series, eating McDonalds, drinking Starbucks or Coca Cola, and even speaking a language that includes Americanised English slang (Godfrey, 2008). Television has the greatest influence on its audience in the UAE, urging authorities to focus on the instigators and the message they on to the audience (Qayed, 2013). As a result, this turns a person’s identity into a product, instead of a combination of thoughts and feelings in an attempt to turn personal work

The spread of English as an international language all across the globe has raised awareness that need to be taken into account seriously, as they effect all aspects of human activity from language in education to international relations. To most, learning English as an international language for the purpose of fulfilling communicative needs is a big threat to national cultural and even religious identities as learning an international language causes people to lose their own language which is the career of all all their cultural values - identity. Linguists estimate that of the approximately 6,500 languages worldwide, about half are threatened or on the edge of extinction. English has become a high priority both educationally and culturally and therefore, Arabic is degenerating at a frightening rate; as well as, contributing to youth losing their identity, culture and heritage. Research shows that the loss of language means the loss of culture and identity (Baker, 2001). Language is intrinsically related to culture. It is the medium through which groups preserve their innate cultures and keep their traditions alive. However, this language expansion produces excess of interactions between nations whilst creating homogenisation and influencing cultural