No matter where you go in the world, you have a good chance of finding someone who speaks English. English is fast becoming the global language and dominates the world in many ways. There are many reasons for this, one of which is the fact that Britain was a global power during colonial times, and today the United States is perhaps the most powerful nation in the world. Due to this global domination, learning English is essential to successfully communicate in our new global society.
English rules the business world
The world is accommodating to English speakers, and this is clearly seen in the business world. This has happened slowly, and some European nations have fought it, but it happened. Today, a meeting between business leaders in Europe who are from different nations is more likely to be conducted in English than in one of the professionals’ native languages.
Why is this? English dominance is due, in large part, to statistics. The European Union reports that nearly half of Western Europeans speak conversational English. In contrast, only 32 percent speak German and only 28 percent speak French. Additionally, 69 percent of business managers and 65 percent of teens and 20-somethings speak decent English. In today’s world, learning English simply makes good business sense.
The language of science and technology
The scientific world has always been in favor of a common language. That is why living things are classified using Latin words. When a German scientist makes a discovery, he needs to be able to communicate that discovery to his Japanese, American, and French colleagues. As such, the main language used in the fields of science is English.
The Internet also plays a role in making English the dominant language in the world. By far the vast majority of online resources are written in English. Translations are available, but the main language of most websites, up to 80 percent of all websites, is English. Also, most forums are frequented by people who can speak English, which means that free online brainstorming is more accessible to those who can read and write English.
English is the language of culture
While every country has its own actors, actresses and singers, it is almost always English artists who achieve worldwide recognition. If you pick up someone’s iPod in a non-English speaking country, you’ll probably find some songs sung in English, if not most songs. Pop culture icons are global celebrities, and the vast majority of those who achieve global recognition speak English.
English is the language of education
From the youngest students to advanced graduate students, those involved in education around the world are learning English. Primary schools in European and Asian nations are teaching basic English to young children. Universities around the world are switching from their native languages to English. People are traveling to England and the United States to have native speakers teach their children English. Countries like China are paying Americans to come to their land and teach conversational English to their people.
As English continues to transform into a global language, it has its skeptics. Some point to the time when Latin was the “global” language and say that no language can remain prominent forever. Yet that was a time when the world wasn’t connected with the click of a mouse or the dial of a phone. Today, English is becoming a global language and will probably stay there, albeit in a unique form that is a bit different than it is today. Regardless of the future of the language, it is clear that to make an impact in today’s economy, one must be able to use English well.
