English language

English language is used in about 100 countries all around the world. An approximate 380 million people use English as their mother-tongue and a similar number of people use it as their second language. It has occupied a very important place in international academic and business communities. English has today become what Latin was to the world in the past.
English is the primary language in many countries like Australia, Dominica, Gibraltar, Grenada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and United States. However, Welsh, Scots Gaelic, Cornish and Irish are also considered indigenous languages in the United Kingdom. In most countries where English is not a first language, it is designated as official language; the countries include Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Malta, Majority of native English speakers, about 70% of them reside in the United States. Out of the 50 states comprising the US, 27 have declared English as the official language. Hawaii, Louisiana, and New Mexico have also declared Hawaiian, French, and Spanish respectively as official languages along with. The above proves that English is the most widely used language in the world and therefore ceased to be the cultural banner of native English speakers. English, as times goes on is absorbing the aspects of other worldwide cultures. English is studied as a foreign language by 33% of Europeans. It is also the most sought after in Japan, Korea and China. Because English is so widely spoken, it has been referred to as a "global language." While English is not the official language in many countries, it is the language most often taught as a second language around the world. It is also, by international treaty, the official language for aircraft/airport communication. Its widespread acceptance as a first or second language is the main indication of its global status.

English spread as a global dominant language first by the colonial expansion of the British, then by the long economic might of the United States. It is the main language of business and trade, has become the official language of many countries, and more recently, its dominance has been further entrenched by the media through movies and music. And even more recently, by the internet, first widely developed in the United States. Technology, both hardware and software, also give English an edge, in that many people are forced to learn its basics to become effective in the work force, which in turn creates incentives by many governments and organisations to promote the teaching of basic English. English is the predominant language on the World Wide Web. More than 80% of home pages on the Web are in English, while the next greatest, German, has only 4.5% and Japanese 3.1%.

In Science (although the terminology of science is still mostly drawn from Latin), 95% of articles are written in English, even though half of them are written by non-native speakers.

The future of English as a global language will depend very largely on the political, economical, demographic and cultural trends in the world. The beginning of the 21st century is a time of global transition. According to some experts, faster economic globalization is going hand in hand with the growing use of English. More and more people are being encouraged to use English rather than their own language. On the other hand, the period of most rapid change can be expected to be an uncomfortable and at times traumatic experience for many people around the world.

Hence, the opposite view, that the next 20 years or so will be a critical time for the English language and for those who depend upon it. The patterns of usage and public attitudes to English which develop during this period will have long-term effects for its future in the world.

1. Why English has been referred to as a «global language»?

2. Why English is considered to be the language of internet and World Wide Web?

3. What factors will the future of English depend on?

4. Can you try to predict the future of English in your sphere of science?

a) Mach the words from the text with their definitions

1.	To designate	A	To defense someone’s point of view
2.	To reside	B	Wanted by a lot of people but rare or difficult to get
3.	To cease	C	To live in a particular place
4.	Indigenous	D	Something that encourages you to work harder, start a new activity, etc.
5.	To entrench	E	To stop doing something or stop happening
6.	Incentive	F	To represent or refer to something
7.	Sought-after	G	People or things have always been in the place where they are, rather than being brought there from somewhere else

b)* Insert the missing prepositions if necessary

1. Dunne was murdered, along …………… three guards.

2. The king is now determined to go …………… without parliament at all.

3. I would never have won if my friends hadn't encouraged me …………… keep trying.

4. Plants draw nourishment …………… the soil.

5. Term Structure of Interest Rates Effective management of financing sources requires an understanding of the relationship between short-term and long-term …………… interest rates.

6. The President spoke to each of us at the table …………… turn.

Дата добавления: 2017-01-13