How can we use English in the modern world?
English is a versatile language that has become necessary for many people around the world. It is a language that has developed worldwide in science, literacy, business, politics, newspapers, TV, movies, theater and of course the Internet. English is a language that will not only help you conduct your international business affairs but also to understand the world we live in, enjoy stories through different kinds of media, surf the net, engage in international debates and help you develop your chosen career.
English is a versatile language that has become necessary for many people around the world. It is a language that has developed worldwide in science, literacy, business, politics, newspapers, TV, movies, theater and of course the Internet. English is a language that will not only help you conduct your international business affairs but also to understand the world we live in, enjoy stories through different kinds of media, surf the net, engage in international debates and help you develop your chosen career.
For Travel
When people travel to another country for business or as a tourist, the language there will probably be different. The people who provide both commercial and essential services in popular tourist destinations will almost certainly know the basic English that they need to do their work. The universal use of English can help people communicate in any situation. Just a few words of English can go a long way when there are no other ways to communicate. |
International Politics & Business
Most official correspondence between political offices in different countries is in English. English is the official language of most international organizations, such as; The UN, The IMF, The World Bank, NATO, ASEAN, and countless other NGOs. The same is true for international business. Whether it is being carried out by huge powerful corporations or small social media enterprises online, English is a very useful tool. |
Education and Studies
English has helped spread knowledge and information and allowed different countries and communities (especially the scientific community) to share their research and knowledge. Education has increased the role of English in the world. Students from different countries can study abroad but still use the same language and share the things they have learned. However, in the age of the Internet, educators and students don't even have to be in the same country anymore! |
The Internet
Despite the growing number of websites, blogs and general online traffic in different languages English still remains the most widely used language on the Internet. For anybody who wants a career in IT, or for those who want to use the Internet for business knowing some English is a big advantage. |
Money, Power and Influence
People who speak English as their 1st language make up less than 10% of the worlds population, but people who speak English as their 1st language have more than 30% of the world’s wealth. Anybody who aspires to be successful in their professional career should be aware of how important the English Language might be for them. |
Other Languages
It is clear that knowing at least some English is becoming increasingly important for an increasing number of people around the world. But this doesn’t mean that English is replacing other languages. In fact other languages are becoming even stronger and more important as they help regions maintain their own cultures and identities. In addition to this, studies have shown that students who know more than one language are more likely to be successful than those don't. |
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Homonyms are words that are spelled the same and pronounced the same, but have different meanings.
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Homophones are words that have the same sound as another word but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
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Homographs are words that have the same spelling but a different sound and a different meaning.
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Varieties of English
It's probably true to say that most students still learn a particular kind of British or American English in the classroom. But, if you have ever been to either of these countries, then you will know that not many of the people there actually speak in the same way, and that there are many regional variations.
A similar thing happens globally. In Singapore, for example, the government promotes, and schools teach a certain kind of British English. But in everyday life, Singaporeans prefer using the dialect known as Singlish. |
British English
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Varieties of standard spoken English
Indian: He’s a real enthu guy.
British: That guy is really enthusiastic.
South African: Jislaaik, china, I was in a bit of a dwaal.
British: Gosh, my friend, I was in a bit of a daze.
Australian: Bring your bathers, chuck some stubbies in the esky and we’ll have a barbie this arvo.
British: Bring your swimming costume, put some beers in the cool box and we’ll have a barbecue this afternoon.
Singaporean/Singlish: Dis guy Singlish damn powerful one leh.
British: This person’s Singlish is very good.
Nigerian Pidgin: I no know wetin u dey yarn.
British: I don’t know what you are talking about.
Islander Creole: Da wan gud ting se di pikniny dem laan fi riid an rait.
British: It is a good thing that the children learn to read and write.
Cockney rhyming slang: We're always avin a barney but ar luv the trouble really.
British: We are always arguing but I love my wife, really.
Text speak: "D gr8st booty of r heritage S d en lgn, n itz r gr8st gft 2 d wrld"
British: "The greatest treasure of our heritage is the English language, and it is our greatest gift to the world
English Use Statistics
English is the most widely spoken and written language, including around 400 million native speakers. English is the most widely learned second language in the world. Because a working knowledge of English is required in many fields and occupations, education ministries around the world mandate the teaching of English to at least a basic level.
English is the most widely spoken and written language, including around 400 million native speakers. English is the most widely learned second language in the world. Because a working knowledge of English is required in many fields and occupations, education ministries around the world mandate the teaching of English to at least a basic level.
- English is the most geographically widespread language in the world and is more widely spoken and written than any other language.
- Over 400 million people use English as a mother tongue. This number is not increasing.
- It has been estimated that maybe two billion people can speak at least some English. This number is increasing.
- Of all the world's languages (over 2,700) English is arguably the richest in vocabulary; the Oxford English Dictionary lists about 500,000 words, and there are a half-million technical and scientific terms still uncatalogued.
- Three-quarters of the world's mail and faxes are in English.
- More than half of the world's technical and scientific periodicals and publications are in English.
- English is the medium for 80% of the information stored in the world's computers.
- English is the language of navigation, aviation and of Christianity.
English on the Internet
We have learned that English is evolving constantly due to outside influences and nowhere is this more obvious than online. The net is dominated by young people who are naturally open to change and with most English users of the net being non-native speakers some of the changes have been dramatic.
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Internet English
The ways in which English is used online can change as quickly as the latest fashions, however, below is a brief introduction into some of the more popular expressions.
The ways in which English is used online can change as quickly as the latest fashions, however, below is a brief introduction into some of the more popular expressions.
Can you translate these online conversations?
Acronym
· AFAIK As far as I know · ASAP As soon as possible · ASL? Age, sex, location? · AYFS Are you f**king serious? · BBL Be back later · BBS Be back soon · BRB Be right back or Bath-room break · BTW By the way · COL Crying out loud · CUL See you later · EOM End of message · FAQ Frequently asked questions · FFS For f*ck sake! · FWIW For what it's worth · FYI For your information · GFY Good for you · GG Good game · HAND Have a nice day · HTH Hope this helps · IC I see · IDK I don't know · IMO In my opinion · IMHO In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion · IRL In real life · ITT In this thread · LMAO Laughing my ass off · LOL Laugh out loud · MYOB Mind your own business · NVM Never mind · OMG Oh my God! · OP Original Poster · OT Off topic · RL Real life · ROFL Rolling on the floor laughing · WB Welcome back · WTF What the f*ck? · YW You're welcome |
Slang
· Dunno Don't know · @ At · B4 Before · C See · Cuz Because · Gonna Going to · L8r Later · M8 Mate · Nvm Never Mind · Pic Picture · BTW by the way · Plz Please · sup What's up? · soz, srry Sorry · Thnx Thanks · U You · W8 Wait · Wanna Want to |