English Language in Pageantry

English is the universal language, and nobody can deny that. Owing to the size of the English-speaking population and its usage in our daily life, the English language has been acknowledged as the world's lingua franca. 

The world is taking globalization seriously, and having English as a common language only makes business easier. English is also the language of science, mathematics, technology, tourism, finance, business, and countless other areas and one wonders if another language will be used it would be doubly hard. 

English is the most used language on the internet - most of the content produced on the internet is in the English language. And what made English the most used language? Several factors made it happen"

1.  Hollywood movies- They have a captive audience around the world.  Though some of them were dubbed in local dialect to suit a few, the majority has managed to survive with English making them learn in the process.

2.  English songs have global acceptance. Imagine an Ilocano 5-year-old belting Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On and later growing up a man making English his second language. Sing your heart out in English and wonder how many English songs will follow.

3. Books are written in English and one newspaper considered English the most preferred language for written publications. English is not only widely spoken ... but is also widely read.

4. The English language is simple and is easy to pick up.  No annoying verb conjugations and tenses you only add ed if it happens in the past or simply add s to show plurality.

5. Internet had its refrain sang in English.  If you browse websites you will see its content done in English.

Learning a new language can be tedious and a long-drawn-out process. However, irrespective of what country you were born in, if you imbibe English gradually, a plethora of possibilities are waiting for you. But in pageantry, there is a growing concern about its use - and it is all about diversity.

I watched the video of the Pageant Nerd, (TPN for short) and he discussed in passing the growing phenomenon as he observed pageantry in the last decade. This is what he said:

"As I have mentioned in other videos, another trend, a worrying one for me is the ever-increasing focus on delegates speaking English in international competitions. More and more pageant finalists and winners in recent years have been proficient if not fluent in English even when they represent countries where English is not their official language. 

A case in point is the quick chat with Steve Harvey after delegates are announced as Miss Universe semi-finalists. This has happened in the five most recent times Steve has hosted. And you probably know my thoughts on that. Of the 85 women who have done the chat since 2016, not a single one of them has used a translator. One assumes they weren't made available unlike in other parts of the competition.  In some cases, it was abundantly clear a non-English delegate, had rehearsed a pre-prepared answer. 

I get it,  This global pageant organizations are businesses, one that needs a spokesperson to effectively represent their brand. And English is a global language of business.  But should non- English speakers even bothered to enter anymore if they hold legitimate hopes of winning an international title?

Could an international pageant organization not focus its efforts for a year on the market where the reigning title holder's language is spoken?  Easier said than done, I know, but I truly hope international pageants and their supposed celebration of diversity broaden their horizon in this particular area. "