Whose language is it anyway?
Work with a partner.
• Which English accent or dialect is the easiest for you to understand?
• Which is the most difficult?
Match the word/phrase with the correct meaning.
Lingua franca (n) Common or widely extended
Anglo-Saxon (n) Crossing or dealing with cultural differences
Influence(n) A rare or significant fact or event
Incorporate (v) Old English
Emerge (v) Become obvious or visible
Widespread (adj) Effect
Phenomenon (n)A common or shared language used for communication
Cross-cultural (adj) Include, blend or merge with
Read the following text.
English has become the lingua franca for international communication. Used on a daily basis by
hundreds of millions of people, English is now the world's most widely understood language. However,
as English changes the world, the world is also changing English, and changing our ideas about the
language.
Like most other languages, the language that we call English developed under the influence of many
others. Mainly a mixture of Anglo-Saxon, German, French and Latin, English has always incorporated
words and phrases from different countries and cultures.
As British influence spread throughout the world, the use of English also spread, which led to large
groups of people outside England using English to communicate. With different nations and cultures
using English in slightly different ways, different varieties of English began to emerge.
English continued to spread fairly slowly until the late 20
th
century. At this time, huge numbers of
people became exposed to English, mainly by way of the US media. English-language television,
music, movies and advertising were seen by millions of people for the first time. Transportation and
communications technology developed, and international business became more widespread. At this
time, English suited the needs of the people who needed a common language to exchange information
and ideas.
Banking, IT, scientific research, sports and the media; the use of English is now common in many
different industries, both public and private. The official language of the United Nations is English,
indicating that the language now has an important role in international law, security and peacekeeping.
With more and more non-native speakers using English every day, English continues to change.
Research shows that there are 400 million native English speakers in the world, but that nearly 2 billion
people speak English. Most English speakers are not native speakers, but are people who use English
to achieve their goals. These people are changing English, which is evolving as a global phenomenon.
It is wrong to think of English as a language that belongs to any particular country. Instead, English is
a tool for international and cross-cultural communication. So, whose language is it, anyway? It's ours.
Ask your partner(s) these questions. Ask follow-up questions!
Questions related to the text
In what industries is English commonly used?
Why did the United Nations choose English as their official lingua franca?
In which countries around the world is English spoken the most? Why?
English is changing. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Should we try to protect the English language?
Can you think of any negative things about the spread of English?
Do you think that another language will replace English as the global lingua franca? Which one?
Other Questions
How has English influenced your language? How has your language influenced English?
How would you speak to a non-native English speaker? What might be different?
Spelling is sometimes different in British and American English. Is this a problem?
How would you communicate with someone with whom you had no common language?
