The worldwide extension of English tends to be both seen and marketed uncritically, as a universally pertinent lingua franca and medium of education. The post-1945 English extension was an intended policy of the US and UK governments, foreseen in a speech by Churchill. Elsewhere Churchill supported university academic freedom and autonomy, which neoliberal forces currently limit. Imperial languages are fostered by means of linguicism, which many contemporary policies illustrate. Enhanced use of English ends in a macro-sociolinguistic tension between national linguistic capital amassment or expropriation. European colonisation was warranted by the false myth of terra nullius. Americanisation worldwide is fostered by projecting US norms and lifestyle as a cultura nullius for all. English is marketed as a lingua nullius, for instance in British advance of English worldwide, as if English is a universal ‘basic skill’. This is incorrect argumentation that iterates colonial discourse. Privileging English strengthens the gaps between the world’s haves and have-nots. This is also now in effect in the countries of the European Union. Critical scholarship is required to connect macro-level analysis with micro-level conceptual myth-making fostering global English.