Chapter 1
The Role of the English Language
in the 21st Century.
Text 3
The English language
seems to play an even more important role in world communications, international
business and social and cultural affairs.
Global spread
The global spread
of English is remarkable. This is thanks to Britain’s colonial expansion and
settlements around the world. The rise of The United States as a superpower
has also helped to expand the language.
Language of communications and
technology
English is spoken
with some degree of competence by one out of five of the world’s population.
By the year 2000 over one billion people will be learning English. 70 % of the
world’s scientists read English, and most of them first publish their findings
in English. About 85 % of the world’s mail is written in English. When Asian
pilots land their airplanes in Europe, they and the ground controllers use English.
Business affairs are very often negotiated in English. Pop singers favor lyrics
in English. American films are watched almost everywhere, and television productions
and video games in English are popular all over the world.
Second or foreign language
By 2010 one expects
that the number of people who speak English as a second or foreign language
will exceed the number of native speakers.
Individual style
English has borrowed
and continues to borrow words from all other languages in the world. Every country
that speaks the language can inject aspects of its own culture into the usage
and the vocabulary. This is why we can talk about e.g. American, Australian,
Canadian and Indian English. You will of course also find local dialects within
the countries.
Internet English
encourages a more informal use of the language. The result is a greater tolerance
for diversity and individual style.
The future of English
According to
experts, English will continue to be the most popular language of modern communications
and production technologies. No other language can challenge English as a world
language.