Will everyone speak English some day?
2006-09-20 10:55:50 · 13 answers · asked by fresh2 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Most of the world's population speaks at least a few words of English already because it has been the language of the most advanced, the most travelled, or the invading people in the last few centuries.
British trade and rule across so much of the globe in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries ensured that the tongue was scattered widely. Their scientific achievements during that same period meant that the language of technology, invention and formal communication was English. In the 20th and into the 21st Centuries, American dominance in the same fields (plus mass entertainment) has ensured it continues.
There is far more Mandarin Chinese spoken than English, but until unique Chinese advancements require (or Chinese cultural spread persuades) others to adopt Mandarin, then the most popular language will continue to be English.
2006-09-20 11:14:32 · answer #1 · answered by Summer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English is the most used language for many 'basic' stuff on these days. Specially technology (internet, computers, etc). However, in terms of quantity spanish and chinese are the most spoken languages in the world because of the quantity of people they have; Just remember there are millions of chinese people not only in China but also all over the world and that most of the countries in the whole continent of America speak spanish.
2006-09-20 18:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by Sergio__ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES! I strongly feel that English is being increasingly used as a communication language the world over. As a doctor I know that publications in English far out number any other language. The countries where English was not used as a medium of instructions are today propagating that studies in English are available.
2006-09-20 18:07:47 · answer #3 · answered by Balraj G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taking an English class in school is required in most all countries. Also if you wre to visit another country they are more likey to speak english then another language. It is the standard for the world. The only reason more people speak Chinse is because there are more of them(not racist). I think we all wont be speaking English anytime soon though...maybe never!
2006-09-20 18:08:34 · answer #4 · answered by tweedy778 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I spent many summers as a teen in Belgium, that was in the 70's. My Uncle in his 50's then was learning English as were my cousins and friends that I met. Learning English is required in many European schools. It has been called the international language and is one of the hardest languages to learn. But news flash for you, Spanish is the fastest growing language in the United States and most Americans can not speak it. I think it will be required in schools in the near future.
2006-09-20 18:12:24 · answer #5 · answered by vivib 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English is only so commonly spoken because it was the language of the British empire and it's currently spoken by the wealthiest nation in the world. Spanish is actually the quickest growing language, while Hindi and Chinese are far more populous. Right now, English is common, but that can change as the fortunes of nations change. We'll see who takes the mantle of leadership from the Americans, and then we'll know what language to study.
2006-09-20 18:01:25 · answer #6 · answered by Fenris 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure if English is the standar, becasue there is not standars for world wide language. About the second part of the question i do not think so becasue there are some other languages growig fast as Spanish and chinesse... Only time will tell... hard to say right now...
2006-09-20 18:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by El Recio 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what you mean by standard.
On one hand, English is the common business language. It is easy to enter, and most information on the Internet is in English.
On the other hand, the US can even get everyone in the country to attempt to learn the language.
Ironic isn't it.
2006-09-20 17:59:40 · answer #8 · answered by JQT 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe... but english isn't the most spoken language int he world..
i think spanish and chinese are ranked the highest.
2006-09-20 17:57:50 · answer #9 · answered by sellatieeat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No everyone will speak spanish
2006-09-20 18:03:39 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋