[Faungarne]

It will get people closer together, but it won't erase all cultural differences, only a few.

I don`t think "English" will be the "Great Eraser" of diversity -- I think it will be capitalist consumerism that does so, but the tool to corporations having an edge over their opponents in the international market will be English. This triumph of capitalist consumerism will be spread through fashion and music to the young in each succeeding generation.

Just one example -- look at Japan, the Kimono has virtually disappeared as daily clothing. Of course, I don`t think this is wholly due to English, but it is due to a new culture influx. English, however, will accelerate the influx of western culture into non-western nations further degrading diversity.

I think that all countries and regions should keep their original language for the sake of diversity and cultural richness, but I hope that the knowledge of English will bring a common field for communication fostering a better language-based understanding. That "hope" is a good one, indeed. However, personally, I feel a uniform world culture and language is the best chance for a long lasting and stable peace. Language and culture cements regions and relationships in their bonds. Look at India and even China, due to ethnic, cultural and language diversity, there is always strife amongst the differing cultural regions within those countries. Take Japan, now, a uniform language and culture has practically erased all regional strife. If Okinawan and the Ainu of Hokaido had never had their cultures and language diluted, I might suggest that in this day and age of cheap weapons and countries willing to supply them, those areas of those people would be ripe for insurgent if their language and cultures were prone to nationalistic sentiments.

I am willing to sacrifice culture and language if it indeed would lead to a more peaceful world or even more peaceful regions. The richness would always be there for scholars or romanticists who would want to get together to study or reenact those time periods of those cultures and languages. If diversity is so much valued by those people, they will go the extra mile to seek it out. If not, then they will be just as happy listening to U2 and sipping Pepsi while wearing an English print T-shirt. What is absent through having been forgotten is not missed.