According to crystal, what makes a language the global language is not the number of people who speak the language but the power of the speakers 7. English as a lingua franca elf is the use of the english language as a common means of communication for speakers of different first languages. Simon horobin investigates the evolution of the english language, examining how the language continues to adapt even today, as english continues to find new speakers and new uses. In how english became english simon horobin investigates the evolution of the. Jul 26, 2018 i agree with phil dane on some of the reasons why english became a global lingua franca, but not about his suggested timing. Although english currently appears to be in an unassailable position in the modern world, its future as a global language is not necessarily assured. More people are trying to learn english than any other language in the world. The richness and depth of englishs vocabulary sets it apart from other languages. Engaging with contemporary concerns about correctness, horobin considers whether such changes are improvements, or evidence of slipping standards. A language is called a global language when it achieves the official position and education preference in every nation, that language will finally come to be used by more people than any other language. Riassunti per lesame di lingua inglese della professoressa cambria. And how has it evolved into the language used today.
But of course this presentation goes deeper and mentions six historical factors that have contributed to make english the. English is now the dominant or official language in 75. Both names derive from anglia, a peninsula in the baltic sea. People often talk about english as a global language or lingua franca. English has become a global language not because of it is both easy to learn and is superior to other language but it has strong power base. Into the early 20th century, french was the leading language of diplomacy, and french was probably the language europeans. How did english become the worlds most spoken language. Today, english has become essential for most people, statements such as the global language or english has become another primary language is not a false statement. But of course this presentation goes deeper and mentions six historical factors that have contributed to make english the most spoken language of.
True, too, even if people dont admire us, they might value english if it were a global lingua franca. Introduction language is the primary medium of human social interaction,and interaction is the means through which social relations areconstructed and maintained. A short history of the english language linguapress. A short history of a global language by horobin, simon isbn. How english became the global language is a stimulating and worthwhile read in its own right, but is also a model for interdisciplinary approaches to complex social phenomena. English has become the most global language, the language of business, science, education, politics, pop music and film industry. The english language is spoken by more than a billion people throughout the world. Survival the global rise of english is a complex topic, and it deserves the kind of careful treatment found in northrups exceptional book. English as a global langu age with millions of popular intuitions at a level which had simply not existed a decade before. It is the principal language spoken in britain, the usa, canada, australia, new zealand, and some other countries such as uganda and botswana. The advantages provided by english as a global language will continue to outweigh the disadvantages.
English as a global language second edition davidcrystal,worldauthorityontheenglishlanguage,presentsalively andfactualaccountoftheriseofenglishasagloballanguageandex. Chapter 2 analyzes if english is a global language, when and why english became a global language, as well as why it remained a global language, from the aspect of colonial expansion, cultural influence, international standing and economic and technological influence of english speaking countries. Elf is also defined functionally by its use in intercultural communication rather than formally by its reference to nativespeaker norms whereas english as a second or foreign language aims at meeting native speaker norms and gives prominence to. Engaging with contemporary concerns about correctness, horobin considers whether such changes are improvements, or evidence of slipping. How english evolved into a global language bbc news. Besides, the effect of the existence of the global language to the life. Survival the global rise of english is a complex topic, and it deserves the kind of careful treatment found in. How english became english by simon horobin overdrive. The essential reason to make a language global or international is the power of its people.
But the idea of english as a global language doesnt mean what they think it does at least, not according to people ive interviewed whose professions are bound up especially closely in what. How did english become a socalled universal language. English language the language of most of the written materials around the world. David graddol, a british linguist,estimated a total of 750 million l1 first or native language plus l2 second or nth language speakers of english in his future of english report,pdf document issued by the british council. In this book, the first written about the globalization of the english language by a professional historian, while there have been many books on the history of globalization to date, most have. English is closely related to frisian and low saxon, and its. Will chinese replace english as the global language.
It is also referred to as global english, world english, common english, continental english, general english, engas english as associate language, or globish. This comes out, for instance, in a very accessible recent historical analysis of how english became the global language northrup 20. In this book, the first written about the globalization of the english language by a professional historian, the exploration of englishs global ascendancy receives its proper historical due. In how english became english simon horobin investigates the evolution of the english language, examining how the language continues to adapt even today, as english continues to find new speakers and new uses. The thesis of this essay is divided into a few parts, first look at what is a global language and what makes a language global then. From medieval manuscripts to text messages, many things helped make english the global language it is today, says author michael rosen. English as a global langu age second edition davidcrystal,worldauthorityontheenglishlanguage,presentsalively andfactualaccountoftheriseofenglishasagloballanguageandex. International english is the concept of the english language as a global means of communication in numerous dialects, and the movement towards an international standard for the language. A short history of a global language horobin, simon on. An interesting article, though i think the power of global media and the internet to spread the english language is liable to define the situation, rather than a technological response. Postindependence, many countries became officially multilingual for the first time, but the various groups needed a language for communication with each other and with other nations. Northrup how english became the global language world.
How english became the global language researchgate. These are the kinds of statement which seem so obvious that most people would give them hardly a second thought. While there have been many books on the history of. This brief, accessible volume breaks new ground in its organization, emphasis on causation, and conclusions. English is the language of political negotiations and international. English language teachers are often paid very well in countries like china and dubai. How english became a global language linkedin slideshare.
This paper describes the notion of english as a global language. I agree with phil dane on some of the reasons why english became a global lingua franca, but not about his suggested timing. Today 400 million people speak english as their native language, and almost 1. Oct 01, 2017 viking influence on the english language. A short history of a global language by simon horobin 2016 english pdf. English is now the dominant or official language in 75 territories. It is a vital commodity in a globalizedworld block and cameron, 2002. What does a language need in order for it to become the global language. English become the global language english language essay.
Australia and new zealand, so that by the late 19th century its reach was truly global, and in the latter half of the 20th century, widespread international use of english was much reinforced by the global economic. Northrup how english became the global language world of. What is interesting is how english become so widely spread. Dynamic, accurate, machine translation in to audio is exceptionally hard, in to writing it is still very hard. Some have also argued that there are other intrinsic features of the english language that set it apart, and make it an appropriate choice as a global language, and it may be worthwhile investigating some of these claims.
Of course english is a global language,they would say. As the global communication expands throughout the world, so does the need for a global language. Elf is also defined functionally by its use in intercultural communication rather than formally by its reference to nativespeaker norms whereas english as a second or foreign language aims at meeting native speaker norms and gives prominence. English as a global language with millions of popular intuitions at a level which had simply not existed a decade before. English is a west germanic language that was first spoken in early medieval england and eventually became a global lingua franca. The history of english english as a global language. Mar 06, 2014 postindependence, many countries became officially multilingual for the first time, but the various groups needed a language for communication with each other and with other nations. English is taught as a foreign language in over 100 countries.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In this useful short textbook, the reader will find the. How did a language spoken by 4 million people on an island in the north of europe become an international language. This paper tries to prove english is the global language. In the middle ages, latin seemed forever set as the language of education and culture, as did french in the 18th century. Language english format pdf pages 205 isbn 97817303073 file size 1. English global language because of the power of the people who speak it the renowned linguist, david crystal, suggests that a language becomes a global language because of the power of. Historically, the essential factor for the establishment of a global language is that it is spoken by those who wield power. Pdf more people are trying to learn english than any other language in the world. Dec 20, 2010 from medieval manuscripts to text messages, many things helped make english the global language it is today, says author michael rosen. After the united states and the united kingdom, the country with the thirdlargest number of english speakers is nigeria assuming you count nigerian pidgin as english, as most but not all. English is the language of political negotiations and international business. In this book, the first written about the globalization of the english language by a professional historian, the exploration of english s global ascendancy receives its proper historical due. How english became english a short history of a global.
The history of english is then depicted to understand the spread english in the world. How english became the global language springerlink. Its considered the language of business which makes it a popular choice for a second language. Jan 01, 20 cultural globalization, of which the emergence of english as the worlds first global language is a prime example, has been comparatively neglected. Why has english become the language for all the written. A global language acts as a lingua franca, a common language that enables people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities to communicate on a more or less equitable basis. Preface to the second edition although english as a global language did not appear until 1997, it was actually written in 1995, which in 2002 seems a very long time ago, as far as global linguistic developments are concerned. With more than 350 million people around the world speaking english as a first language and more than 430 million speaking it as a second language, there are english speakers in most countries around the world. But circumstances change, and there are several factors which might.
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