Globish (Nerrière)

Globish (Nerrière) refers to a simplified version of English proposed by Jean-Paul Nerrière as a lingua franca for international communication. It is not a language in itself, but rather a set of guidelines for speaking English in a way that is easily understood by non-native speakers.

Nerrière created Globish based on the observation that many international conversations using English did not involve native English speakers at all. He theorized that native speakers often used complex vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures that hindered comprehension. Globish aims to eliminate these barriers.

Key features of Globish (Nerrière) include:

• Limited Vocabulary: A core vocabulary of approximately 1500 words is advocated. These words are chosen for their simplicity and international commonality.
• Simple Grammar: Complex grammatical structures are avoided. The emphasis is on clear and direct sentence construction.
• Avoidance of Idioms and Colloquialisms: Figurative language and culturally specific expressions are discouraged, as they can be confusing for non-native speakers.
• Clarity and Repetition: Speakers are encouraged to be explicit and to repeat information if necessary to ensure understanding.
• Non-Native Pronunciation is Accepted: While clear articulation is important, Globish does not prioritize mimicking native speaker pronunciation.

Globish (Nerrière) is often distinguished from other simplified versions of English, such as Basic English, and is presented as a communication tool rather than a language to be learned in its entirety. It aims to facilitate international communication by focusing on clarity and understandability for non-native English speakers. The concept has been both praised and criticized, with some arguing that it is a pragmatic solution to global communication challenges, while others view it as a reductionist and potentially limiting approach to the English language.