CONTRIBUTION OF ENGLISH LINGUA FRANCA TO STABLE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

The article deals with the phenomenon of English lingua franca (ELF) and its rapid expansion on the territory of Europe. With globalization processes growing, cross-cultural awareness is bound to be enhancing the use of a common language for international interactions. The expanding circle of English incorporates its variety which is used for cross-cultural communication exclusively by non-native speakers. There is no one who speaks English lingua franca as a native language. Thus, the analysis of its functional value should be focused on the success of communication rather than on the number of deviations from the norms. The functional range of ELF allows its users to exploit it more liberally without being bound to any specific norms or regulations. The paper illustrates the influence of the linguistic situation in Europe on the formation of a new type of the language of intercultural communication (English lingua franca) with reference to the professional culture of seafarers. It has been taken into consideration that international seafarers use ELF for their communication, both oral and written, thus contributing to the process of de-standardization of the English language. The content analysis of certain texts (extracts from seafarers’ professional correspondence) shows some independence of communicative effect from correct / incorrect grammatical and structural form of the utterance based on the use of professional sublanguage and its implicit effect. English lingua franca is promptly becoming an effective communicative instrument of mighty force. It represents a certain cultural segment and enjoys sustainable development. Key words: linguistic situation; expanding circle; effective communicative event; deviation from norms; professional culture; communication instrument.