ENGLISH – THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

“English saved my life.”

Joseph Conrad (1857–1924),English novelist born in Poland

English is part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. It is spoken as a native language by around 377 million and as a second language by around 375 million speakers in the world. Speakers of English as a second language will soon outnumber those who speak it as a first language.

Around 750 million people are believed to speak English as a foreign language. English has an official or a special status in 75 countries with a total population of over 2 billion.

The domination of the English language globally is undeniable. English is the language of diplomacy and international communications, business, tourism, education, science, computer technology, media and Internet. Because English was used to develop communication, technology, programming, software, etc, it dominates the web. 70% of all information stored electronically is in English.

British colonialism in the 19th century and American capitalism and technological progress in the 20th century were undoubtedly the main causes for the spread of English throughout the world.

The English language came to British Isles from northern Europe in the fifth century. From the fifteenth century, the British began to sail all over the world and became explorers, colonists and imperialists. They took the English language to North America, Canada and the Caribbean, to South Africa, to Australia and New Zealand, to South Asia (especially India), to the British colonies in Africa, to South East Asia and the South Pacific.

The USA has played a leading role in most parts of the world for the last hundred years. At the end of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th, it welcomed millions of European immigrants who had fled their countries ravaged by war, poverty or famine. This labor force strengthened American economy. The Hollywood film industry also attracted many foreign artists in quest of fame and fortune and the number of American films produced every year soon flooded the market. Before the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which ended the First World War between Germany and the Allies, diplomacy was conducted in French. However, President Woodrow Wilson succeeded in having the treaty in English as well. Since then, English started being used in diplomacy and gradually in economic relations and the media.

The future of English as a global language will depend very largely on the political, economical, demographic and cultural trends in the world. The beginning of the 21st century is a time of global transition. According to some experts, faster economic globalization is going hand in hand with the growing use of English. More and more people are being encouraged to use English rather than their own language. On the other hand, the period of most rapid change can be expected to be an uncomfortable and at times traumatic experience for many people around the world. Hence, the opposite view, that the next 20 years or so will be a critical time for the English language and for those who depend upon it. The patterns of usage and public attitudes to English which develop during this period will have long-term effects for its future in the world.

Vocabulary

1. native language –

2. second language -

3. foreign language –

4. official language -

5. branch -

6. to outnumber -

7. undeniable -

8. throughout -

9. to play a leading role -

10. to flee -

11. to ravage -

12. poverty -

13. famine -

14. labor force -

15. in quest of -

16. to flood -

17. to conduct -

18. trend -

19. treaty -

20. transition -

21. to go hand in hand with -

22. pattern -

23. attitude -

24. long-term effects -

25. adopt -

26. inspire –

27. bilingual -

28. monolingual -

29. eavesdrop -

QUESTIONS

1. Where did you first hear English spoken?

2. Which English words have been adopted into your native language?

3. Where is English most commonly used in your native country? Why?

4. Do advertisements sometimes use English words? Why?

5. When did you first study English? Were you excited, bored, or indifferent?

6. How long have you studied English? What inspired you to study it? Where have you studied English?

7. Have you had any negative experiences learning English?

8. What was the best English class you ever had? Why?

10. What method of learning seems to work best for you? Why?

11. Have you found an excellent tool for learning English? What?

12. What’s your favorite English word or expression?

14. Do you listen, speak, read, and write English every day?

15. Where do you usually speak English? Why?

16. Do you speak English with neighbours? Co-workers? Friends? Classmates?

17. Have you ever listened to an audio book? Which one? Was it enjoyable? Did you learn many new words?

18. Do you ever eavesdrop, or just listen intently, to conversations around you?

19. Do you watch American movies with subtitles? Why?

20. Is it easier to spell in English than in your best language? Why?

21. What are some positive aspects of the English language?

22. What are some characteristics that make learning English difficult?

23. Should all government agencies exclusively use English? Why or why not?

24. In your opinion, why has English become more popular in the last 20 years?

25. What tips can you offer friends who want to improve their English?

QUOTATIONS

Read aloud all the quotations. Pick your favorites and discuss.

1. “I speak two languages, Body and English.”—Mae West (1892–1980), actress

2. “Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.”—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), 26th U.S. President

3. “Even if you do learn to speak correct English, whom are you going to speak it to?”—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938), American lawyer

4. “England and America are two countries divided by a common language.”—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), Irish playwright, Nobel Prize winner

5. “Next to money, English is the leading international language.”—Evan Esar (1899–1995), American humorist

6. “The most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.’”—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004), 40th U.S. President

7. “Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on the its hands, and goes to work.”—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967), American poet, Folklorist, and historian

8. “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936), British author and Nobel laureate

9. “Apparently Arnold was inspired by President Bush, who proved you can be a successful politician in this country even if English is your second language.”—Conan O’Brien (1963–), American talk show host

10. “Fatherhood is helping your children learn English as a foreign language.”—Bill Cosby (1937–), American comedian and actor

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ON YOUR OWN

Using only English words, write a favorite thing, activity, food or dish next to each letter.

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