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ENGLISH AS A WORLD LANGUAGE (Some details about the growth of English (The…
ENGLISH AS A WORLD LANGUAGE
From Anglo- Saxon to world lanuage
There are two main historical reasons why English is now the most widely spoken language in the world.
1)
The language was spread when England had colonies all over the world,
2)
American English has through television, film and the Internet made the English a world language.
Some details about the growth of English
The people who established the first European settlement spoke English.
Europeans traded with and, later, colonised many of the Caribbean islands. ( Trade language)
When Britain had problems with overcrowded prisons, they established colonies in Australia for convicts. This resulted in a whole continent speaking English.
New Zealand became a British colony in 1841.
The British East India Company came to India in the early 1600s to start trading, and it soon became an official colony. This is why English today is an official language in both India and Pakistan.
Britain established many colonies in Africa, and English is now an official language in a number of African nations.
Why English?
Flexible language, with elements pf other languages
The grammar is not too complex.
English today
There are many English languages (British English, South African English etc.).
There are regional and local dialects within the different English languages. For example, American English is characterised by some vocabulary: "sidewalk" for "pavement" and "lift" for "elevator"
Written English is more standardised than spoken English.
More than one language
What is happening to English in countries that once were a part of the British Empire?
Jamaica)
There are two types of English in Jamaica. Standard English is the language of the government and newspapers, it is the official language. Creole English is the everyday spoken language of most people.
Sierra Leone)
Most people here speak Krio. 80% of the words in the Krio dictionary come from English.
India)
There are many differences in grammar, vocobulary and pronunciation between Indian English and Standard English. English is crucial in the growing computer and call centre industries of India.
The Pacific)
English is an important first, second or foreign language in all of the countries near the Pacific Ocean. In Singapore, for example, the local dialect is called "Singlish".
English as a means of communication
International relations
English has become the most useful language to learn for international travel.
The "company" language
Many of the countries in Europe realised that English is the most useful language when it comes to large firms .
Electronic communication
English is the dominant language in electronic communication (the Internet).
Scientific publishing
After the Second World War much of the world's scientific potential became concentrated in the United States.
Film, TV and entertainment
We receive much English input through the media and films that are shown in English.
Music