2007-06-30 12:10:45 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Is it?
My experience travelling is that it is far from a universal international language. It might get you by for tourist oriented destinations and venues, but once outside of the resorts, it may not be a particular help.
Business might be conducted in English as a lingua franca, but other fields differ. Diplomacy appears to use French, for example. When I was studying, the languages of mathematics were German and Russian as well as English.
In southern Africa, English will get you most places, but not necessarily in eastern Africa or any of the former French colonies in north Africa. In South America, Spanish is needed if you intend to see or do anything interesting.
2007-06-30 12:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by DougF 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The influence of the British Empire is the primary reason for the initial spread of the language far beyond the British Isles. English is the first language for most people in Australia, Canada, the Commonwealth Caribbean, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, and it is used as a second language and as an official language throughout the world, especially in Commonwealth countries such as India, Pakistan and South Africa, and in many international organisations.
Also, following World War II, the growing economic and cultural influence of the United States has significantly accelerated the spread of the language.
2007-06-30 19:18:49 · answer #2 · answered by Annie Karina 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure it is. I know we think that most of the economic transactions take place in English but is that just the arrogance of the English speaking. G8 conferences, as well as political meetings, have translators up the wazoo. For the present and because of the dominance of the USA, English is readily used in foreign transactions. Inside the USA, Spanish is almost as common as English in the big cities and many businesses ask for bilingual employees (American meaning, not Canadian). The wheel will turn and another language will gain dominance, but I'm not sure when or which one.
2007-06-30 19:23:04 · answer #3 · answered by St N 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its the language of the economy right now, just as Latin had its time as well as French.
I'm sure it will change again sometime throughout coming history...
2007-06-30 19:14:10 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By the way. In english the auxiliary verb to do in NEVER used with the verb to be, unless grammar rules have changed.
Now, concerning your question, there are three answers for that: money, money, and MONEY
2007-06-30 19:51:52 · answer #5 · answered by Dios es amor 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you are right. 'Amrrrcans' would like to think it is, but then, they also think the world turns around the US...
2007-06-30 19:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by Cisco 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!
WHY??????
2007-07-01 10:31:16 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ Καλ ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋