onsdag 30. september 2015

Questions about English as a world language


What is the history of the English language after WWII?
After WWII, England was totally bombed. USA helped them and became a global superpower. This is the reason that English is the number one world language today.

What is meant by ESL, EFL, ESP?
ESL is English people learn in addition to their mother tongue so they can take part in the life of the country in which they live. Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans for instance.
EFL is English learned by people who have no daily contact with the language. They start from scratch and learn it as a foreign language.
ESP is to give people some specific English skills in, for example, trades, business or other professions.

Do you think that international English enriches the cultures of the world, or does it drain them of their uniqueness?
I think English helps other cultures and languages by allowing them to communicate and spread their culture to different countries. They learn to respect other cultures and they can develop an understanding for people different from themselves.

Explain the terms inner - outer - expanding circle.
The inner circle: Countries where native English speakers live.
The outer circle: Countries in which English is spoken as a second language.
The expanding circle: The many countries in which English is spoken as a foreign language.

Why is it necessary to have standard forms of English?
It is important and necessary to have standard forms of English because today the non-native English speakers is a majority. They make their own version of English. For example, for them it might be “right” to say “she look sad” instead of “she looks sad” which the right way to say it is. If we keep doing this, the proper English dies. It just fades away, because there are so many other versions exceeding it.

Which forms of English does David Crystal believe we will have in the future?
David Crystal believes that we will have three different forms of English in the future:
One they speak locally as their dialect
One variety for education and business
One standard international English for communicating with foreigners

English has become important in six different fields - which?
International education
International business and trade
International diplomacy
Art and entertainment
Science and technology
Digital communications


Why English Is Important!


Ingen kommentarer:

Legg inn en kommentar