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Abovementioned ‘conversations’ realized in the global network are mainly performed in English. This is due to different factors, as the recently emerged notion ‘English as a lingua franca’ (ELF). In this communication, the key participants are the speakers whose second or third language is English. Crystal (2003) points out that only one out of every four users of English is a native speaker of this language around the world. Consequently, the largest share of ELF communications is performed among ‘non-native’ speakers of English. And, in many cases, this language is regarded as ‘a ‘contact language’ among the people whose native tongue or (national) culture significantly differ, and who choose English as a foreign language of communication’ (Firth, 1996).
English has been defined by several scholars so far, as ‘English as an international language’ (Jenkins, 2000) EIL, ‘English as a global language’ (Crystal, 2003; Gnutzmann, 1999), ‘English as a world language’ (Mair, 2003). These definitions have been used as broad terms for the usage of English within and across Kachru’s ‘Circles’. Inner Circle, Outer Circle, and Expanding Circle contexts (Kachru, 1992). Consequently, EIL traditionally means the use of English for international communication. Nevertheless, the term ‘English as a lingua franca’ is preferred more when English is used as the means of communication among non-native speakers coming from linguistic and cultural boundaries (House, 1999; Seidlhofer, 2001). In addition, English is used as a medium of intercultural communication (Meierkord, 1996) and as an international language (Jenkins, 2000), which is more explicit.
Undeniably English serves as a global lingua franca. Nonetheless, as a result of its international use, nonnative speakers are forming English at least as much as by its native speakers.