Welcome to today’s monologue, sponsored by Eric Jordan, CPPA — Business Valuator and Data Researcher.
This episode explores one of the most powerful assets ever created by human society. Not a stock. Not a bond. Not a mine or a bank. But a language. One that has quietly but forcefully become both a tangible driver of global wealth and an intangible pillar of elite identity.
In a world being shaped by cross-border business, digital connectivity, and global capital flows, there is one common thread connecting the boardrooms of Manila, the tech towers of Bangalore, and the financial corridors of London, Toronto, and Dubai: English.
It’s not just a language—it’s an asset.
Both tangible and intangible.
It produces wealth.
It protects wealth.
And it empowers those who speak it to shape the global conversation.
Let’s unpack how English became a financial tool, a status symbol, and a psychological weapon for global elites.
The Roots of a Global Power
English’s dominance began not with choice, but with conquest. The British Empire embedded it in schools, courtrooms, and shipping docks across a quarter of the planet. Then came the United States, whose post–World War II rise cemented English as the global language of finance, diplomacy, and pop culture.
Fast forward to today:
Over 1.5 billion people speak English.
400 million natively.
The rest by necessity.
Over 50% of all internet content is in English.
It is the working language of the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank, and even air traffic control.
This is a language that functions like currency. The more people who use it, the more valuable it becomes. That’s not just linguistic theory—it’s economic reality.
The Tangible Power of English
English unlocks hard economic benefits. For elites in emerging markets, it’s the secret key to global markets, education, and investment.
Let’s take the Philippines.
The Ayala and Sy families run corporate empires—real estate, retail, banking. Their command of English ensures capital keeps flowing in from abroad. Their BPO sector, which earns the country $30 billion a year, exists only because of English fluency.
Now look at India.
English is the scaffolding of a $200 billion IT industry. Companies like Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services serve U.S. and U.K. markets in a common tongue. The Ambani family? They make sure their heirs are fluent, not just in balance sheets, but in the language of global influence.
And Nigeria?
English is the official language—but elite fluency sets Lagos’ business dynasties apart. With it, they don’t just build empires—they export Nigerian culture to Netflix and partner with Silicon Valley on their terms.
Education, Mobility, and Wealth
English is the passport to elite education.
Harvard. Oxford. MIT. No English? No entry.
Filipino elites send their children to international schools. Indian elites enrol theirs in places like The Doon School. Nigerian elites choose British-style prep academies. Why? Because English enables their children to move seamlessly into Cambridge, Wall Street, or the World Economic Forum.
Then there’s wealth preservation.
When elites from emerging markets want to park their assets in stable, dollar-denominated portfolios or buy real estate in London, English is what lets them deal with UBS, JPMorgan, and real estate lawyers in Dubai.
The Intangible Power of English
But English’s value isn’t only financial.
It’s cultural.
It’s psychological.
It’s about identity and belonging.
English connects elites to elite networks. It allows a Filipino CEO to attend Davos, a Nigerian banker to speak at TED, and an Indian tech founder to raise capital in Silicon Valley.
It is the language of global ideas.
Of media.
Of influence.
Hollywood movies. BBC broadcasts. TED Talks. Peer-reviewed journals. All in English.
And this gives elites who master it the power to not just follow global narratives—but to write them.
Confidence and Cultural Belonging
Fluency in English doesn’t just open doors—it changes how people see themselves. It builds confidence. It gives individuals from formerly colonized nations the ability to negotiate, publish, lead—without deference.
In the Philippines, English is a point of national pride. Nurses, engineers, and entrepreneurs use it to build careers abroad and send back $40 billion a year in remittances.
For elite children trained from birth to speak flawless English, it’s a silent inheritance.
One that says:
“You belong at the table.”
Not just any table—the global table.
Real-World Examples
In the Philippines, families like the Cojuangcos and Aboitizes send their children to De La Salle or Ateneo, and then to Oxford or Yale. They lead energy firms, banks, and export conglomerates in a global language.
In India, the Tatas and Mahindras ensure English fluency across generations, enabling global mergers, cross-border leadership, and a cultural juggernaut in Bollywood.
In Nigeria, Nollywood exports African stories in English. Bankers negotiate in English. Politicians campaign globally in English.
In all three nations, English is not just learned. It’s leveraged.
Is English Indestructible?
Is English unstoppable? No language is immortal. But English is resilient.
It’s already the language of coding and AI—think Python, GitHub, ChatGPT.
It evolves by absorbing Hindi, Mandarin, and Spanish words.
It’s entrenched in institutions, law, and global banking.
Mandarin is rising, yes—but it carries political baggage.
Arabic and Spanish are growing—but lack English’s neutrality and institutional backing.
So while AI translation tools may eventually level the playing field, English isn’t going anywhere soon.
Looking Ahead
English will remain the most powerful asset elites can give their children.
In India. In Africa. In the Philippines.
And in countries yet to rise.
Whether it’s for global education, securing overseas assets, navigating elite forums, or exporting cultural products—English is both tool and trophy.
A tangible engine of wealth.
An intangible beacon of belonging.
And as globalization continues, English remains the language of progress.
Thank you for listening to this special podcast episode, sponsored by Eric Jordan, CPPA.
For more insights on how language, valuation, and intangible assets shape the future of business and influence, visit www.pin.ca
Until next time—stay connected, stay informed, and remember:
Language is not just communication—it’s capital.
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