Tell me your nationality too.
2007-06-22 00:16:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
No! English is a mongrel of various languages that has the a special place in that it can be understood in many countries. China is an almost mono-racial society but has a curve busting poulation.
I'm a NZ'er. I have lived a good proporttion of my life in Japan. All languages are amazing jewels of culture. As a single form of communication English is widely recognised, but it is also widely recognised that American English is not standard.
There are so many deeply human things that cannot be translated because the language is part of culture, and not understanding a culture means not understanding the language and Vice versa. It is not understanding humans or humanity to say that one language is number one.
Language is culture, people and we all have our own special peculiarities and specialities.
For example many say French is the language of love, Russian the Novel, Japan has Haiku, Latin of Logic, English has Shakespeare... aren't these all the No1 jewels of language?
2007-06-22 00:35:18 · answer #1 · answered by Bonbu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JJ gave the best (and only right) answer. English is the language most spoken and understood in the world, not as a first language but as the universal language of communication. It is very easy to learn (I should know, I learned it) and it can be used to relay scientific and technical information with precision. I am not English, I come from French Canada.
2007-06-22 18:14:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although Chinese (Mandarin) has more people speaking it as a first language, they are concentrated in China and Taiwan, whereas English has many more people speaking it as a second language in addition to first language speakers. So, in terms of number, geographical spread and universality, English is No.1. On the same basis, Spanish is not far behind.
2007-06-22 07:28:39 · answer #3 · answered by JJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
right now it is. i know all airlines use english as the common language, and a lot of big business conducts business in english. once upon a time, latin was the universal language, and french was, too. until another country becomes the heavyweight commercial nation, the trend will stay english. i'm from the USA.
2007-06-22 07:23:19 · answer #4 · answered by sugarbabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, french is the number one language around the world. I respectfully decline stating my nationality.
2007-06-22 08:17:55 · answer #5 · answered by Monk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English is too difficult for many people and is connected to a cultural background. Esperanto is easy, regular and neutral and has proven to be a complete and full language!
2007-06-22 09:31:55 · answer #6 · answered by lodchjo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, it's not. there are over 26 countries who state spanish is their national language - more than any other language.
english might be common and widely spoken, but it's not the #1 language in the world.
i'm an american.
2007-06-22 08:34:57 · answer #7 · answered by YSIC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you mean what words remain if all the foreign words are removed from the dictionary...English is comprised of 1500 languages +
2007-06-22 07:54:09 · answer #8 · answered by viet_forever_more 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
english is considered the language of the world...(i wonder why?)...but the most widely spoken language in the world is mandarin...
2007-06-22 07:20:15 · answer #9 · answered by EskiMO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at the moment English Language is used by more than 50.000 ppl, so, yes, I think that at the moment is No.1
2007-06-22 07:25:44 · answer #10 · answered by CrownlessPhoenix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋