Sports Language - Amigos could you speak English please?
In today''s high stress society
Sports personifies the intense level of
global competition involved. One good example is the English Premier League (EPL) which is one of the most televised sports competition worldwide. Many of the teams in
EPL are own by foreigners (Chelsea FC is own by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich), coach by foreigner ( Liverpool FC is coach by Rafael Benitez from Spain), assisted by foreign staff and with players worldwide. In the case of highly successful Arsenal FC for example it is coach by Frenchman Arsene Wenger and with players
worldwide speaking French, Spanish, Russian, Italian but little English with the exception of one lonely English speaking
teenager Theo Walcott.
In sports, especially in the EPL, success is of paramount importance. Success in EPL means qualifying for a top four placing in the Premier League in order to obtain UEFA Champions League qualification. Failure to do so would means less fund for purchase of new players which may lead to relegation from the Premier League. The non-performing coach may then be fired and the players sold to another club. As such all the EPL team tries to achieve success by actively recruiting the best soccer talent worldwide including from the continent of South America, Africa and Asia. Many of the young recruits are teenagers who may not speak a word of English but find themselves playing in the EPL.
Sports is increasingly globalised with the EPL live matches shown worldwide and it is especially popular in Asia. In Asia many people who do not speak a word of English watch the exciting EPL live matches in the restaurant, pubs, coffeeshop and even at home with friends. Viewers worldwide likes to watch entertaining game with plenty of action on the pitch. The sponsor for the team depends heavily on global television viewership. Samsung, the global technology giant which has its headquarter in South Korea, is a sponsor for Chealsea FC. As such to attract viewers and sponsors worldwide the team need to have talent, which often include foreigners, to perform well in the punishing league. Further, audience worldwide may support the team with players from their home country. South Korean viewers may choose to watch Manchester United matches because Park Ji Sung is playing.
Sports, especially the English Premier League, is increasingly competitive and globalised. As such it is inevitable that with a worldwide audience the teams would have to be global to succeed which means having to recruit the best talent who is more often than not - a foreign teenager who may not speak English. A Pronounication Guide to Numbers in International Language is attached at the bottom of blogsite http://danielepl.blogspot.com
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