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| 1. An English-Speaking World by Kenji |
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English is not the most widely spoken Language in the world in terms of the number of native speakers--there are many more Chinese speakers than native English speakers--but Chinese is spoken little outside of Chinese communities, so English is the most widespread language in the world. It is difficult to estimate exactly how many English speakers there are, but according to one estimate there are more than 350,000,000 native English speakers and more than 400,000,000 speakers of English as a second language (a language used in everyday life, even though it is not their native language) or foreign language (a language studied but not used much in everyday life).
However, even these numbers do not really indicate how important English is as a world language. English is the major language of news and information in the world. It is the Language of business and government even in some countries where it is a minority language. It is the language of maritime communication and international air traffic control, and it is used even for internal air traffic control in countries where it is not a native language. American popular culture--primarily movies and music--carries the English language throughout the world.
In several countries, English is the sole or dominant language. It has that place in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. All of these countries are former British colonies. In other countries, English widely used. For example, it is widely used in Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Malaysia. In such countries, it is often used as a means of communication between people who have different native languages.
English is commonly used as a medium for the communication of information and news. Three quarters of all telex messages and telegrams are sent in English. Eighty percent of computer data are processed and stored in English. Much satellite communication is carried in English.
Five thousand newspapers, more than half of the newspapers published in the world, are published in English. Even in many countries where English is a minority language, there is at least one newspaper in English. In India alone, there are three thousand magazines published in English. In many countries, television news is broadcast in English. Because of the power of television, demonstrators in every country use signs printed in English for the benefit of the international press.
English is a major language of international business, diplomacy, and science and the professions. It is the language that an Iranian businessman and a Japanese businessman are likely to use to communicate. Important commodities such as silver and tin and hard currency are traded in English. English is also an official Language, or the official language, of many international organizations, including the United Nations, many professional organizations. It is frequently the Language of international conferences, and it is the language of international athletics. English is the major language of international conferences, and publication of papers. Even papers that are published in other languages often have abstracts in English.
In many former British colonies, English is still used in government and as a medium of communication among people who do not have another language in common. In some cases, it is a neutral language that is used to avoid giving any one indigenous language too much prestige. English is used in some former British colonies. English is often used in India, because it is neutral. It is a civil language and accepted by the society. People who speak English show a certain class in the society. It is used for books, music and dance. In Singapore, English is a second language, but it is necessary for living. Many companies there are using English. Sixteen countries in Africa retained English. Now standard English is taught in those countries because it is necessary for their careers.
Popular culture has also played an important part in spreading English. American and British popular music are heard all over the world. American movies are seen in almost every country. Books in English are available even in countries where few people actually use English. One reason that students give for learning English is to understand these songs, movies and books.
English is also very important for international travel. Much of the information countries disseminate about themselves outside of their borders is in English. English is spoken in large hotels and tourist attractions, at airports, and in shops that tourists frequent. Tours are almost always available in English. Even in countries where few people speak English on the street, people who work with tourists generally speak English.
English is also studied as a foreign language in countries where it is not used generally used as a medium of communication. In Japan, almost all junior high, high school students, and college study English. In China, English language lessons are popular TV programs. Two hundred fifty million Chinese--more than the population of the US--are learning English on TV. (830 words)
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| Copyright (2004) by Kenji Kitao |
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