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Questions and Answers
What is predicted to happen to the number of people learning English by 2020 according to a 2006 British Council report?
What is predicted to happen to the number of people learning English by 2020 according to a 2006 British Council report?
What is one of the disadvantages of English as an international language?
What is one of the disadvantages of English as an international language?
What is one of the characteristics of English spelling?
What is one of the characteristics of English spelling?
What is one of the regions identified as a main growth area for English language tuition?
What is one of the regions identified as a main growth area for English language tuition?
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What is the reaction of the French government towards the global spread of English?
What is the reaction of the French government towards the global spread of English?
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What contributed to the expansion of the use of English as the main language for commerce?
What contributed to the expansion of the use of English as the main language for commerce?
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What is a key advantage of the English language?
What is a key advantage of the English language?
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What is a result of learning English?
What is a result of learning English?
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What replaced the UK's trading position in the world market?
What replaced the UK's trading position in the world market?
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Why is English seen as a convenient language for business, diplomacy, and social communication?
Why is English seen as a convenient language for business, diplomacy, and social communication?
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Study Notes
Expansion of English
- The use of English has expanded globally, particularly with the rise of the Internet, social media, and data storage.
- Historical factors, such as colonialism and the British Empire, have contributed to the spread of English as a dominant language for business, diplomacy, and social communication.
Advantages of English as an International Language
- English has a wide, cosmopolitan vocabulary with many foreign borrowings, making it adaptable to changes in social styles of communication.
- English shares similarities with Germanic languages (e.g., German, Dutch) and Latin-derived languages (e.g., French, Italian, Spanish).
- English has relatively simple inflections, no cases, and a phonetic alphabet, making it accessible to learners.
- Many English words have become universal (e.g., airport, passport, hotel) and are incorporated into non-English languages.
Global Significance of English
- The British Council and BBC World Service have actively promoted English language and culture globally.
- English language tuition is increasingly important, with a predicted two billion learners by 2020, particularly in China, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
- Online courses and digital programs are also on the rise.
Disadvantages of English as an International Language
- English has a complex vocabulary, which can lead to mistranslations and incomprehension due to idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
- Spelling can be confusing, with many exceptions to the rules, and a lack of correlation between spelling and pronunciation (e.g., "rough", "through", and "thought").
- The dominance of English has led to resentment in some nations, such as France, where it is seen as a threat to national languages and cultures.
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Description
This quiz explores the expansion of the English language, its growth in the internet era, and its historical development through colonial possessions and the British Merchant Navy.
