What is the place of English in the world today and what do you think of its future?

Answer 1

It should remain as a lingua franca for many communities and the standard language for buisiness and diplomacy and the airlines/ shipping etc for many years.

But before lazy people who speak nothing but English get too complacent remember that only at the turn of the last century was French replaced as the official diplomatic language by English. The spread of English as a second language under the shadow of the British empire and its continued importance under the US economic "empire" futhered still by the development of the www as originally an English language medium has consolidated the role of English in the world during the past 100 years.

Further even today more people speak Putong Hua (Mandarin Chinese) in the world than do English - Its impact is of course much less than English due to the narrow geographic area in which it is used. However with China certain to become the world's largest economic power in the next 50 years (bar any more revolutions) - this restriction is unlikley to remain. More people will want to learn Chinese because of the importance of China in the economic, business, diplomatic and political worlds.

The only saving grace that English may have would be that its romanised (partially "phonetic") script makes it more readily accessible to learners compared to the Chinese language in its written form. (Though bear in mind when Putong Hua was chosen to be the official dialect of the People's Republic there were also plans to abolish the Chinese script and just use the romanised PinYin instead.)

Answer 2

I absolutely agree with DAR J, I am a South African that moved to England four years ago and I really make an effort to speak English as best as possible, but I also work with a lot of other people from different countries and we have to use sign language to communicate. Some of them has been over here for nearly ten years and they still can't understand a word English. I think it pathetic. Every country you go to you will find someone that can speak English and i don't think that English will ever get extinct.

Answer 3

English will always be a language renowned through out the world as a standard language, every country can communicate in English and it has been declared the language of business, however seems to me that less and less people in uk especially London speak english, tomany shops opening up that advertise in Arabic and alike, im sorry but when in England make a effore to speak the language, I think anyone living here should me made to advertise and attempt at the least to speak the language, end of day if you dont want to or cant be bothered then go back to your own country and talk whatever you want to

Answer 4

English is used in business as the main language. I live in Europe and my husband works in IT for a bank. All documents and communication is in English. Just the other day he was on a confrence call and most of the others on the call were German and started the meeting in German. Someone had to point out that my husband was on the call and it went straight to English. I taught a four year old Japanese girl some English before her parents were enrolling her in an English speaking section of an International school here. People are quite keen on having their children learn English as it is understood that you must know it to have more opportunities in life.

Answer 5

There are more words in the English language than in any other. It has evolved and includes words rooted in many other languages.

It is generally accepted as THE international language for politics and business. By not applying the masculine, feminine and neuter genders to all nouns it is easier to learn.

Another factor is the influence of English in the pop music field.

While English will readily absorb 'foreign' words such as, nonchalant, blitz, ersatz, aardvark, bungalow and khaki the reverse is not always the case.

The French have even passed laws to prevent more English words creeping in to their language. Since they have no word to replace it they are stuck with 'weekend'.

Many of the older Germans feel their language is absorbing too many English words and phrases.

The second language taught in the Netherlands is English and it is also a popular choice amongst many other countries.

The almost universal use of English has enabled countless numbers of people to acquire a smattering of English and it is this factor which makes Britain such a draw for migrants.

Answer 6

I think that whilst now English is the dominant language, spanish will take over. There are theories (according to my old languages teacher at college) that spanish will spread from south america through up north through the states. (Apparently) many people in southern states speak spanish as their first language. THey seem to believe that by 2050 the USA will be a predominantly spanish speaking country. This will obviously affect the dominance of hte english language on the internet, in cinema, in music etc.

Answer 7

English is the language of the world.Even Chinese have started to learn it.It has a bright future.

Answer 8

If you decided in understanding to talk Chinese then you need to now that the ideal alternative is a Course for Mandarin.

Answer 9

universal language... language towards UNITY