AudioBlog (Intermediate) | Ep 001 | English: The Global Language of Communication
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Introduction:
English is a global language with over 1.5 billion speakers worldwide.
The article explores historical, economic, technological, and cultural factors that led to English's global dominance.
Historical Factors:
The British Empire's rule in the 18th and 19th centuries established English as the official language in many colonies.
English remained the language of systems and governments even after countrie gained independence.
The United States, following World War II, emerged as a new global superpower with English as a central influence.
Economic Factors:
Globalisation and advancements in technology and transportation have led to rapid economic growth.
English serves as a common language for international trade and business.
English is widely taught in schools and universities, enhancing its value in the job market.
Technological Factors:
Technology, including the internet, social media, search engines, and translation software, has promoted English communication and accessibility.
The tech industry, mainly based in English-speaking countries, has contributed to the use of English within that industry.
Cultural Factors:
English is prevalent in pop culture and media, with Hollywood movies and American music and TV shows reaching a global audience.
Media exposure has made English more accessible and familiar to people worldwide.
Conclusion:
English's global dominance is a result of historical, economic, technological, and cultural factors.
It's essential for international communication, commerce, and education.
English's presence on the internet and in entertainment contributes to its significance as a symbol of global culture.
The spread of English as a global language will continue to evolve.
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(00:00): Welcome to the Merlin English audio blog. For full transcriptions, along with additional learning resources, visit www.merlinenglish.co.uk/members.
(00:16): Today, we will be exploring the intermediate blog post, Titled: English: the Global Language of Communication.
… 1. Introduction …
(00:29): English is a truly global language, with an estimated 1.5 billion speakers worldwide. Its importance in things, such as international business and communication is unquestionable. Today we will try to answer the question: What has led to this global dominance?
(dominance - see exercise sheet)
(00:54): In this article, we will explore the historical, economic, technological and cultural factors that have made English the language of the world.
… 2. Historical Factors …
(01:09): At the end of the 16th century, England, soon to be the British Empire, started its rise. By the 18th and 19th centuries, it was believed that the British Empire ruled over a quarter of the world's land and people.
(Resource: - https://www.britannica.com/place/British-Empire)
(01:26): Some of the most well-known colonies included: India, Australia, North America and parts of Africa. Soon after being colonised, English quickly became the official language, and this was not only enforced in trade, but also in law and education.
(Resource: - https://cdn.britannica.com/98/129798-050-DFBAD328/Map-British-Empire-extent.jpg)
(01:47): Even though most countries gained independence in the 20th century, English had already become the language of their systems and governments. As a result, many countries continued to use English as their official language.
(Resources: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_territories_where_English_is_an_official_language)
(02:02): After the collapse of the British Empire, the United States emerged as the next global superpower. Following World War II, the U.S. experienced rapid growth in its economy and military. This saw a new form of worldwide influence that was once again centred around the English language.
(superpower - see exercise sheet), (Resource: - https://www.history.com/news/post-world-war-ii-boom-economy)
… 3. Economic Factors …
(02:26): In the 21st century, there have been significant changes in how businesses operate. Globalisation has led to rapid economic growth, thanks to the advancements in the technology and transportation industries.
(Globalisation - see exercise sheet), (Resource: - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zxm3srd/revision/1)
(02:41): Globalisation has created new opportunities for countries and cultures to trade with each other on a large scale. This has enabled people from anywhere in the world to connect and work together using English as the common language. As a result, English has become crucial for international business.
(Resource: - https://hbr.org/2012/05/global-business-speaks-english)
(03:03): It is now widely taught as a second language in schools and universities, making it a valuable skill in the job market. The rise of international companies and the service sector has also contributed to the widespread use of English as a global language.
(to contribute - see exercise sheet)
… 4. Technological Factors …
(03:26): New technology has played a big role in making English a global language. It has promoted new methods of communication and allowed English content to be viewed by everyone.
(03:39): The internet and social media have provided a platform for people to connect and communicate in English, while search engines and translation software have made it easier to access and understand information.
(03:55): In addition, English is the main language of the tech industry. Many major technology companies are based in English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. This has contributed to the widespread use of English in the industry.
(Resource: - https://userguiding.com/blog/biggest-tech-companies/)
… 5. Cultural Factors …
(04:19): English has become widespread in pop culture and media, making it more accessible and familiar to people around the world. Many popular movies produced by Hollywood are in English and are distributed globally, exposing people to the language in a fun and entertaining way.
(to contribute - see exercise sheet), (Resource: - https://www.journalijar.com/uploads/921_IJAR-4156.pdf)
(04:41): Additionally, American music and television shows have a wide reach and are frequently consumed by people in many countries. This constant exposure to English through media and entertainment has contributed to the global use of the language.
… 6. Conclusion …
(05:02): English has become a global language due to a combination of historical, economic, technological, and cultural factors. It has become important for international communication and commerce, with a significant presence on the internet and in entertainment.
(05:21): Its widespread use in education has made it a widely understood language and a symbol of global culture. The spread of English as a global language is a result of multiple factors and its significance and use will continue to evolve.
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