Part 2. English as a World Language

 

The dominance of English in the contemporary world is explained by the appearance of lots of people who want to learn English not for pleasure or prestige but because English has become the key to international scientific, technological and commercial innovations of today.

Previously the reason for learning any foreign language was not well defined. Knowledge of foreign languages was regarded as a sign of a well-rounded education, but few had really questioned why it was necessary. Foreign languages are socially demanded especially at the present time when the progress in science and technology has led to an explosion of knowledge. People who speak English fall into one of three groups: those who have learnt it as their native language, those who have learnt it as
a second language in a society which is mainly bilingual and those who are force to use it for a practical purpose - professional or educational. In a number of speakers (400 million) it is second only to Mandarin Chinese.

The total knowledge of mankind doubles every seven years. English is needed as the main and the most efficient means of information exchange. With the acceptance of English as the international language of technology and commerce a new generation of people appears who know why they are learning the language. Some people learn it because they need them in their work, others travel abroad, for the third studying languages is a hobby. The engineers cannot work with an imported instrument or a machine if they are not able to read the instruction how to do it. Scientists need English to keep up with developments in their fields. Many students need it because their course of studies includes textbooks available only in English. Young people around the world need English in order to be able to communicate with their pen-friends in other countries, understand films and songs.

Over 300 million people who live in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America speak English as a native tongue. English is one of the official languages in the Irish Republic, Canada, and the South African Republic.

 

As for basic characteristics of English there are following:

1. Simplicity of form. Old English, Greek, had many inflections to show singular and plural, tense, person, etc., but over the centuries words have been simplified. Verbs now have very few inflections, and adjectives do not change according to the noun.

2. Flexibility. As a result of the loss of inflections, English has become, over the past five centuries, a very flexible language. Without inflections, the same word can operate as many different parts of speech, many nouns and verbs have the same form, for example to work - work, to phone- phone, to answer- answer, to visit- visit,to watch- watch. Adjectives also can be used as verbs: warm and to warm, clean and to clean.

3. Openness of vocabulary. This involves the free admission of words from other languages and the easy creation of compounds and derivatives. Most world languages have contributed some words to English at some time, and the process is now being reversed. Purists of the French, Russian, and Japanese languages are resisting the arrival of English in their vocabulary.

Geographically, English is the most widespread language on Earth. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations Organization and other political organizations. It is the language of literature, education, modern music, international tourism, science, trade and cultural relations, aviation, and international sport. It is also the major language of diplomacy. This will no doubt continue, although the opinion that all other languages will die out is absurd.

At present no other language on Earth is better suited to play the role of world language.

 

III. Comprehension check

3.1. Answer the questions:

1. What is language?

2. What language is an international one?

3. What was the first international language?

4. Did the Greek language replace the first international language?

5.What language was the next international one?

6. Had all the languages equal importance in different centuries in the world?Why?

7. What language was popular in the 15-th and 16-th centuries?

8. When did French become the dominant language of the Western world?

9. When did the transition from French to English start?

10. What is the dominance of English in the contemporary world explained by?

11. What are the three groups of people speaking Englsh?

12. Why do people learn the English language?

13. What are the basic characteristics of English?

14. How many people do speak English as a native tongue?

15.Why does English play the role of world language?

 

3.2. Decide whether these statements are true, false or information is not available:

1.Language enables people to understand each other.

2. A language that is used as a means of communication by people of

different nations is called national.

3. The first international language appeared on Earth while construction the Babylon Tower.

4. The first international language that we know about was the language of the Phoenicians.

5. The Latin language replaced Phoenician as a means of international communication.

6. Latin was the universal language of Medieval Europe for five centuries.

7. Not all the languages had equal importance in different centuries in the world.

8. German was also very popular in Medieval Europe.

9. French became the dominant language of the Western world in the 20th century.

10. Since childhood Russian aristocrats and common people were learning French.

11. In the first half of the 20-th century English started gradually to replace French as the international language because of two World Wars.

13. In a number of speakers English is second only to Mandarin Chinese.

14. The basic characteristics of English were developed by the linguists in the 19^th century.

15. Geographically, English is the most widespread language on Earth.

 

3.3. Choose the right variant (use the information taken from the texts 1 and 2):

1. A language that is used as a means of communication by people of different nations is called ….

a) national

b) international

c) local

2. The first international language that we know about was the language of the ….

a) Chinese

b) Japanese

c) Phoenicians

3. The … language replaced Phoenician as a means of international communication.

a) Greek

b) Latin

c) French

4. In the 19-th century… was the official language of our country.

a) French

b) English

c) Russian

5. … is one of the official languages in the Irish Republic, Canada, and the South African Republic.

a) French

b) Spanish

c) English

6. In a number of speakers English is second only to....

a) German

b) Spanish

c) Mandarin Chinese

7. Verbs now have very few ….

a) forms

b) tenses

c) inflections

8. … also can be used as verbs.

a) Nouns

b) Pronouns

c) Prepositions

9. … of the French, Russian, and Japanese languages are resisting the arrival of English in their vocabulary.

a) Purists

b) Writers

c) Teachers

10. The opinion that all other languages will die out is ….

a) true

b) absurd

c) controversial

3.4. Arrange the sentences according to the order in the text English as a World Language, Part II:

 

1. Foreign languages are socially demanded especially at the present time when the progress in science and technology has led to an explosion of knowledge.

2. As for basic characteristics of English there are following.

3. Previously the reason for learning any foreign language was not well defined.

4. Old English, Greek, had many inflections to show singular and
plural, tense, person, etc.

5. Most world languages have contributed some words to English at
some time, and the process is now being reversed.

6. People who speak English fall into one of three groups.

7. Purists of the French, Russian, and Japanese languages are resisting the arrival of English in their vocabulary.

8. It is also the major language of diplomacy.

9. At present no other language on Earth is better suited to play the role of world language.

10. Without inflections, the same word can operate as many different parts of speech.

3.5. Make up adjectives:

 

Model: Russia – Russian.

Persia –

Germany –

Spain –

Japan –

China –

Scotland –

Wales –

Ireland –

Portugal –

Europe –

Greece –

Turkey –

Australia –

Canada –

 

IV. Grammar in Focus

 

4.1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the verbs

to be and to have. State its functions:

1. International language is not the phenomenon of our age only.

2. The Greek culture and language were imposed in all Hellenistic centers and states.

3. English has become a very flexible language over the past five centuries.

4. The tourists are to leave the hotel at 12 o’clock.

5. Foreign languages are socially demanded especially nowadays.

6. Purists are resisting the arrival of English language in their vocabulary.

7. The words have been simplified over the centuries.

8. Many people have to learn foreign languages to get job abroad.

9. German as a third language will be taught by the native speaker.

10. Our teacher has a lot of English books and magazines at home.

11. Was your brother in Scotland last summer?

12. Are there a lot of tourists from the USA and the South Africa in the hotel?

13. Where are you from?

14. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations Organization.

15. I have to leave now.

 

4.2. Translate the following word combinations in different forms of Participle:

 

They have sold, he is studying, I was told, English speaking countries, having learnt the foreign language, developed countries, the idea being discussed now, having been written in 1953, while buying a laptop, having completed the job, the methods being used, a scientist knowing six languages, being a polyglot, the stolen money, unless checked, as seen from the text.

 

4.3. Make up sentences matching the suggested parts. Pay attention to the participles:

Learning	foreign languages English my friend the data the matter	people can travel abroad.
Having learnt	we can get a well-paid job.
Being busy	didn’t call me back.
Knowing	people are able to read the books in original.
Having discussed	they make some more experiments.
we completed our job later.
they started to learn Spanish.
we write new words out.

 

4.4. Put the word in brackets into the appropriate form of participle. State the function of the participle:

1. (To speak) English our chief always makes mistakes.

2. Have you read an article (to translate) from English?

3. We went home, (to look) through the documents.

4. The matter (to discuss) is very controversial.

5. While (to read) a book in a foreign language my friend usually uses the e-dictionary.

6. Where are the souvenirs (to bring) from Paris?

7. (To translate) this difficult text, my friend started to learn it.

8. The new method of learning English (to use) by our teacher at the lesson is very useful.

9. I’ve got a few books (to publish) in France.

10. Do you know the student (to speak) with the dean?

4.5. Complete the sentences:

1. Having taken a taxi my colleague …

2. When speaking at the conference my friend …

3. Not knowing English language he …

4. Having been published this book …

5. While translating an article my brother …

6. Not having followed his parents’ advice my brother …

7. The project being made by our students …

8. Not having been sent in time the fax …

9. Having been told the truth she …

10. Not having caught my idea my colleague …

 

 

V. Speaking

5.1*. Read and translate the following statements and jokes about English. Whose opinion do you appreciate best? Why?

1. He who knows no foreign language does not know his own
one (W. Goethe).

2. German and Spanish are accessible to foreigners: English is not accessible even to Englishmen (George Bernard Shaw).

3. Writing in English is like throwing mud at a wall (Joseph Conrad).

4. The most known dead languages are Old Greek, Latin and literary English (Unknown Author).

5. Making English grammar conform to Latin rules is like asking
people to play baseball using the rules of football (Bill Bryson).

6. I am is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that «I do» is the longest sentence? (George Carlin).

7. The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: «I’m from the government and I’m here to help» (Ronald Reagan).

8. My English is a mixture between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Archbishop Tutu (Billy Wilder).

9. When I read some of the rules for speaking and writing the English language correctly, I think any fool can make a rule, and every fool will mind it (Henry David Thoreau).

10. I speak twelve languages. English is the bestes (Stefan Bergman).

Read and dramatize the interview given by the experienced linguist from the Moscow State University to the reporter of the journal FOREIGN LANGUAGES and formulate the main matters were discussed. What other questions could you ask?

R.: Is there an ideal method of learning languages?

L.: Unfortunately, there is no universal or ideal method of learning languages. Everybody has his own way. Sometimes it is boring to study grammar or learn new words. But it is well known that reading books in the original, listening to the BBC news, communicating with native spea-kers will help a lot. When learning a foreign language one learns the
culture and history of the native speakers. One must work hard to learn any
foreign language.

R.:When do children usually start learning foreign languages in
Russia?

L.: Much depends on the parents. Some children start to learn foreign languages very early, in kindergartens for example. They are taught ABC English there: they sing songs, recite nursery rhymes and learn to construct some phrases. Others start learning languages at school. Generally pupils learn foreign languages from the second to the eleventh class.

R.: Are foreign languages included in entrance exams?

L.: Many Universities include foreign languages in entrance exams. Students who specialize in humanities, such as History, Sociology, and Philosophy need to know foreign languages for their professional career.

R.: Why do people learn foreign languages in Russia?

L.: Russia is integrating into the world community and the problem of learning English for the purpose of communication is especially urgent today. In Russia people learn English to be able to exchange the latest information concerning science, technology and commerce with their colleagues; to be able to read foreign newspapers and books. Learning foreign languages is especially popular among young people. For them English is a way of exploring a completely new world. A person who travels a lot also needs English. Even in the countries where English is not an official language people generally are able to understand it.

R.: What is a distinguishing feature of English?

L.: English belongs to a group of Germanic languages. Thus German is relatively close to English. At the same time England had numerous contacts with France, so French had tremendous influence on English. Today a person who knows both English and French will easily find numerous similarities in these languages. Those who already know English will have less difficulties learning French.

R.: Is English an easy language to learn?

L.: Yes, it is. Basically English is an easier language to learn than
almost any other language. Its grammar is not difficult at all.

R.:What do you think is the most difficult about English?

L.: The richness of the vocabulary makes English a difficult language. Moreover, spelling and pronunciation make trouble. Another thing is that Russian and English are very different. It is not easy for a Russian to learn how to use definite and indefinite articles properly because there are no articles in Russian. In this context it should be said that the Germans and the French have less difficulties with English.

R.: Why are foreign languages important for specialists?

L.: Specialist should know foreign languages to communicate with their colleagues at the conferences, look through foreign books and journals on the Internet. Today it is not enough for a professional to know only one foreign language. That is why many young people who begin to think about their future early start learning several languages. For specialists it is good to know not only English, but German and French as well. Undoubtedly, English is number one language that specialists should learn.

R.:What kind of foreign language do specialists have to know?

L.: Specialists have to know that kind of English which will help them to solve their professional problems. They need English for specific purposes. It has been established that there are important differences between, say, the English of commerce and that of engineering. That is why a lot of English courses for specific groups of learners have been developed. Nowadays there are English courses for Biology, Geography, Law, History, Mathematics, Medicine, Economy, and other sciences.

Topics to discuss

 

1. Do you consider English to be useful in your future career or everyday life?

2. Name some occupations or professions for which a good knowledge of a foreign language is desirable. Give your reasons.

3. What are the reasons of the low foreign language competence by the most students at the technical higher schools? How should students be motivated to improve their language knowledge?

 

VI. Listening

 

6.1. Listen to the text English Language Center on http://www.esl-lab.com