2006-10-03 09:52:31 · 36 answers · asked by stevelydon11 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
This is a very silly question I must say. Here's your lesson for today;
- No language is superior or inferior to any other language.
- All languages are beautiful in their own way, no matter how many people speak them or how many words they have.
- There isn't anything like "best" or "worst" language in linguistics.
Plus, to get even close to calling a language "best" you have to know all the 6000 (+, -) languages spoken in the world at least. Even then, I'd tell you "Ya ya".
2006-10-04 03:58:30 · answer #1 · answered by Earthling 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I´ve been trying to learn this language for some years and i have to tell U that is not as easy as some people say it is. Somebody said that its pronunciation is quite simple. A BIG FAT LIE.
You never know what to expect from English pronunciation. For example: Food, Mood, Loose, Stood. There seems to be a pattern, right? Well, and you find blood, flood, and so on.
Fought, thought, caught, sought, so many letters to say so few sounds, why?
Nevertheless, I can not deny its grammar is very easy comparing it to my first language grammar.
But, even though English pronunciation is a nightmare for me, it is also a challenge I want to go through.
I also acknowledge (not sure about this word`s spelling, sorry!) that English is really useful. No matter where you go, there is gonna be somebody who speaks it.
I am not gonna say English is the best language, but I can affirm it is beautiful and practical.
If you wanna practice some Spanish with me, I´ll be more than glad 2 help U. Maybe U could help me with my English.
Greetings from Costa Rica.
2006-10-03 12:10:53 · answer #2 · answered by geraCR 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about the best, but I would say it is the most useful on the international stage. In my work, I normally find that English is the second language that most people know. I think that Spanish is probably the up and coming second language.
2006-10-03 10:06:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's not the most widely spoken. It's not the prettiest for poetry. It's not the most logical in terms of spelling or pronunciation. It's often too complex for even reasonably educated people who speak it as a first language to get things right (eg less vs fewer).
However, it's the most useful for international business, and probably contains more different words (and is able to convey more different concepts) than any other.
I'd have to say I prefer Italian, if we're talking aesthetics. But English certainly has its uses.
2006-10-03 10:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by gvih2g2 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think English is the best language like America is the best country. It is an opinion, but I can name some facts to support my opinion.
English has the largest vocabulary. This makes little subtleties easier. Also poetry. I also think it makes for better expression.
We also invented the dictionary. In my opinion this is a negative, but since there are dictionaries in other languages now, it must be good (or universally evil.)
Like America, English has been made from borrowing from other cultures. It makes spelling terrible because you never know if you are actually spelling in French, Spanish, German, or what not. But it also gives it diversity and the strength of many other languages.
I also think that English is more exact than my other language (Spanish). For example there is a difference between on and in.
I do love Spanish grammar though. Way easier. I also love how nearly everything rhymes in Spanish, but I wouldn't give up English for these aspects.
2006-10-03 10:11:36 · answer #5 · answered by Cadair360 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
1) Arabic
2) Bengali
3) English
2006-10-03 10:58:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This question would have more meaning if you defined "best". There is no "best" language -- all are capable of expressing the same concepts (provided those concepts are known to the people using the language). Obviously, languages spoken in the depths of the Amazon jungle won't have words for cell phones or television, but they also have remarkable arrays of words for objects in their environment that are important to them.
2006-10-03 09:55:48 · answer #7 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
"Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory.
He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king".
"The English language is one of our great sources of inspiration and strength,
and no country, or combination, or power so fertile and so vivid exists anywhere in the world".
"Naturally I am biased in favour of boys learning English;
and then I would let the clever learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat.
But the only thing I would whip them for is not knowing English.
I would whip them hard for that."
All these quotations are from that master of the English language, Sir Winston Churchill. Admiring his mastery of English, one is tempted to agree.
2006-10-07 08:14:34 · answer #8 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Completely meaningless question.
It's obvious you want to hear people say it is so that you can collectively feel better about being born in countries that speak it. Sure, if it will make you happy. English is the best language.
2006-10-03 10:06:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is the official language of aircraft communications.
I was on the ships in MN years ago we had a crew from Hong Kong, and when we went to North China they had to speak english to be understood by fellow Chinese.
Trouble with english is one has to remember all the different sounds for "A" for instance, in spanish "A" has one sound which sounds like "AH"
I'm always amused when I read "lead guitar"
Imagine a guitar made of metal !!!!!
2006-10-03 10:14:02 · answer #10 · answered by xenon 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋