World language

[Snow Lau]

Can you share your ideas with me? Thank you !!

1. What gives a language global influence and makes it a "world language"?

2. Will the demand for English in the world continue to rise at its present rate?

3. Will English continue to be associated with leading-edge technology?

4. Will economic modernisation continue to require English for technology and skills transfer?

5. What impact will the Internet have on the global use of English?

[Tdol]

1 This depends on many factors. In the case of English, Britain was a dominant power, then America continued. It was spread through the Empire, and this continued with capitalism.
2 It depends where you are talking about. In the case of China, there is a boom, and no boom is sustainable over a long period. Do all 600 million learning English really need it? Probably not. However, this pattern is not seen all over the world; different countries have different needs. In India, for instance, the rise of outsourcing, especially over the phone, has led to a great need to deal with pronunciation andadapt to international patterns- English for call centres. Things will rise and fall, but the basic need for international communication will continue.
3 Yes
4 Yes
5 English is the dominant language of the internet, so it wili in all probability reinforce the position. However, this will affect the language greatly- as it becomes more international, it will change and adapt.

[dr_linguista]

Originally Posted by Snow Lau

Can you share your ideas with me? Thank you !!

1. What gives a language global influence and makes it a "world language"?

2. Will the demand for English in the world continue to rise at its present rate?

3. Will English continue to be associated with leading-edge technology?

4. Will economic modernisation continue to require English for technology and skills transfer?

5. What impact will the Internet have on the global use of English?

ANSWERS:
1.Media/ economy.
2.Possible. Unless another media/ economic power replaces English powers. Then the interest will shift to the other power.
3/4. Depending if it continues seizing power.

5.Maybe we'll come up with a new form of English!

[Tdol]

5.Maybe we'll come up with a new form of English!

I agree with you here- there's already clear evidence of the emergence of international forms of English where things are being dictated by non-native speakers.