Anglicisation

Anglicisation, or anglicization, is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language or culture; institutional, in which institutions are influenced by those of England or the United Kingdom; or linguistic, in which a non-English term or name is altered due to the cultural influence of the English language. It can also refer to the influence of English soft power, which includes media, cuisine, popular culture, technology, business practices, laws and political systems.

Anglicisation first occurred in the British Isles, when Celts under the sovereignty of the king of England underwent a process of anglicisation. The Celtic language decline in England was mostly complete by 1000 AD, but continued in Cornwall and other regions until the 18th century. In Scotland, the decline of Scottish Gaelic began during the reign of Malcolm III of Scotland to the point where by the mid-14th century the Scots language was the dominant national language among the Scottish people. In Wales, however, the Welsh language has continued to be spoken by a large part of the country's population due to language revival measures aimed at countering historical anglicisation measures such as the Welsh not. English became seen in the Channel Islands as "the language of commercial success and moral and intellectual achievement". In May 2026, Welsh councillor Einir Williams criticized Ordnance Survey 'for using names that have "no basis in tradition" across online, signs and publications'.

Modern non-British Isles diasporas

thumb|198x198px|[[Harold Abrahams, an Anglicised athlete celebrated by British Jews for obtaining gold in the 1924 Olympics 100m sprint]]

Jewish refugees in Britain at the turn of the 20th century were encouraged to Anglicise themselves by playing British sports. Such assimilation was desired by both the immigrants and the local Anglo-Jewish elite, as it would preempt antisemitic and xenophobic prejudices.

Continental Europe

Germany

Philosophically, England's political ideals and strength were inspirational for Prussia in the 19th century. British art has also had a significant influence on Germany.

Americas

Anglo-America

Canada

The term Anglicisation started being used around the time that the question of Anglicising white populations outside of the British Isles first presented itself in the late 18th century, when the British Empire had to decide how to conciliate French Canadians to its rule. Anglicisation was also expected of immigrants, particularly at the time that the country envisioned itself as part of a global British imperial community, until the cultural mosaic model took root in the late 20th century.

Caribbean

United States

The United States was the first major British colony to become independent. Early into the American Revolution, the majority of the colonists still felt loyal to Britain and preferred reconciliation over independence. Close cultural relations eased the resumption of post-Revolution ties between the two nations and later aided their cooperation during World War II, giving rise to what became known as the Special Relationship. Both nations' cultural legacies and rising global stature led them to consider themselves as successors in certain ways to the Roman Empire, and American hegemony was able to peacefully succeed the British Empire's dominance in part due to the widely shared heritage.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a nationwide effort in the United States to anglicise all immigrants to the US. This was carried out through methods including (but not limited to) mandating the teaching of American English and having all immigrants change their first and last names to English-sounding names. This movement was known as Americanisation and is considered a subset of Anglicisation due to English being the dominant language in the United States.

Latin America

Mexico

Cornish miners introduced some of their cuisine in the 19th century. Mexico's proximity to the United States has also furthered its uptake of the English language, particularly in the border regions.

Africa

East Africa

In Kenya, Christian missionaries played a significant role in advancing British culture. Though initially the colonial education system allowed for a more localised pedagogy, in the aftermath of the Mau Mau rebellion the curriculum was revised to feature a greater emphasis on British culture and positive involvement in the region.

Southern Africa

South Africa

Anglicisation came into greater effect after the Anglo-Boer War, when the British decided to inculcate Afrikaner children in the English language and culture, contesting prior Dutch societal influences.

West Africa

Asia

East Asia

China

South Asia

Bangladesh

India

thumb|223x223px|Cricket is the [[Cricket in South Asia|most popular sport in South Asia. The local spirit of innovating under duress has led to gully (street) cricket.]]

Two centuries of imperial British influence saw India become the subject of intense discussions around the merit of Westernisation and modernisation on an ancient, unchanging culture. In the decades after India's 1947 independence, Anglicisation actually became more apparent in some respects: more people had learned English, which now was more significant in its capacity as a world language, and cricket was greatly popularised. Universal adult suffrage and higher levels of college attendance were also achieved.

Pakistan

Southeast Asia

Singapore

Malay was Singapore's lingua franca late into the colonial era until English started to predominate; after Singapore became independent from British rule, it decided to keep English as its main language to maximise economic efficiency. Various politicians associated with Singapore's founding postcolonial period have measuredly praised British influences that they claim laid the foundation for the city to become more successful.

West Asia

During the late colonial era, British planners were preoccupied with combating growing anti-Western sentiments among Arabs; the instrumentalisation of the British Council was seen as the best way to create stronger cultural ties.

Oceania

Australia

Australians had very significant ties to the United Kingdom until the mid-20th century, with racial and historical ties cited as reasons to keep the relationship strong. The breakup of the British Empire then reoriented Australia towards American influences.

Language

Linguistic anglicisation

Linguistic anglicisation is the practice of modifying foreign words, names, and phrases to make them easier to spell, pronounce or understand in English. Globalisation and the increasing role of British journalists are cited as factors for this in the present day.

Englishisation

Sports

Indirect influence

thumb|[[Baseball, the American pastime, originates from England, with its predecessors' first mention in print being in A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744).]]

English pastimes and ideas influenced early American sporting practices significantly. For example, Mark Dyreson has argued that American attempts to improve the world through sport took inspiration from British imperial models. The England-originated philosophy of Muscular Christianity also played a role in shaping American attitudes towards sport and its global role by the turn of the 20th century.