But many people fear that the spread of a single international language threatens individual cultures. It is argued, for example, that the spread of one language will cause others to die out. However, there is evidence to the contrary. History suggests that the use of one or more official languages has in fact sharpened the sensitivities of speakers of other languages. More broadly, people fear that a single language will spread a single culture over the world, a movement sometimes called “l(fā)anguage colonisation". But we should keep in mind that the purpose of an international language is for use in international contexts, not everyday ones. Any international language is likely to remain superficial. My conclusion is, for the reasons I have given, that the enormous benefits of a single international language vastly outweigh the potential risks it presents.