The English language is one of the most popular languages in the world and it is the best second language to learn in Europe and the world. It’s versatile, it’s easy to learn, and it’s easy to communicate with others.
Not to mention, it has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons why the English language is so popular and why so many people choose to learn it.
Why the English language is so popular?
The history of the English language:
The English language began to take shape around the 5th century AD. At that time, British and Germanic tribes were migrating southward through what is now England. They brought with them their languages and vocabulary, which combined to form a new tongue known as Old English.
- Old English was characteristically harsh and concise, making it difficult for people to communicate without resorting to abbreviations or crude words. However, over the next few centuries, this rough language slowly started to soften into Modern English.
- Modern English first emerged in the Late Middle Ages (1350-1550), when merchants and politicians needed a flexible but accurate way of communicating with each other across different dialects. During this time, writers such as Geoffrey Chaucer began writing poems in an elegant style that reflected the refined tastes of his era.
- English continued evolving throughout the Renaissance (1400-1600) and The Enlightenment (1620-1820). Eccentric philosophers like John Locke proposed revolutionary ideas in books like An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, while playwrights like William Shakespeare wrote timeless classics that still captivate audiences today
The Importance of the English Language:
The English language has a huge impact on the world around us more than French, Spanish or Latin. It is the language of democracy, science, and commerce. In fact, without English, there would be no modern world economy.
English is simply perfect for communicating ideas and concepts across different cultures. Not only that, but it also has a rich history and a well-developed grammar system. This makes it an ideal tool for writing books, articles, speeches, or any other form of communication.
Indeed, if you want to achieve success in your field whether that’s business or education you need to know how to use English effectively.
Why is the English language so popular now? Well, it has earned its popularity for a number of reasons. English is the dominant or official language in a number of countries, including many former British Empire territories.
8 Reasons why the English language is so popular:
English as a universal language.
English is the most spoken language in the world and for good reason. It is versatile, reliable, and easy to learn. Here are five reasons why English is so popular:
1. It has always been regarded as an international language.
It is an official language of international communication by virtue of its widespread use as the lingua franca. A lingua Franca, in general, refers to any mutually understood second mate or interlanguage used among people belonging to different languages and cultures.
2. English is the language of the internet
In the year 2000, internet usage started increasing rapidly. In a few years after the use of the Internet on mobile phones and the government, websites were introduced.
Most people in most countries now communicate through the internet or at least browse blogs/websites written in English which has been attributed to its wide acceptance as an international language.
3. Simplicity of the English language
English is one of the most simple languages in the world to communicate, and at the same time, it’s an important language.
It has fewer sounds, syllables and words than any other language on earth making it easier for international users to understand.
4. English is the language of travel
Traditionally, most of the world has looked to England for political and economic stability. Today with globalization improving travel from country to country is on the rise making English an essential skill in both work and personal life.
This can be applied to finding employment as well because knowing how and when to use others people’s language will give one a competitive advantage, especially in economically stable western economies like Canada or the United States or Africa.
5. English is business and finance
English language is the universal language of business, and in almost every part of the earth, English speakers are major investors or traders. Even if there are no others around you it’s good to know how to speak a few English words such as “How much?”, “Do you accept credit cards?” and so forth.
6. English is the language of technology
This might come as a surprise to some people, but it’s definitely true. English is used in every industry today, from tech to finance to marketing.
Because English has many unique features that make it the perfect language for technology. For one thing, English is flexible and versatile it can be adapted to fit any context or situation.
That makes it easy for writers and speakers to communicate effectively with each other no matter what the topic may be.
7. English is a global language
English is a global language since its inception 1500 years ago as a trade language between England and other countries on earth, it has evolved into one that can be spoken by almost everyone on this planet barring only some isolated tribes in Papua New Guinea that still speak their own unique form of English.
8. The coolness factor
English is used across the world to signify a certain lifestyle or culture linked to American-style success or entertainment, or sometimes to signify a certain British quality.
However in the words of one international language expert, “There’s something about English that just makes it seem cooler.
Even if someone speaks very poor or uneducated English, they can sound sophisticated and cosmopolitan because of the language’s colloquialism and flexibility.”
English is used across the world to signify a certain lifestyle or culture linked to American-style success or entertainment, or sometimes to signify a certain British quality. Advertisers use it all over the world in multi-national markets to sell their products in this way.
FAQs:
1. Why the English language is so popular?
- For one, it is the language of technology, many people use it to communicate effectively with each other.
- Additionally, English is a global language and as such can be spoken by almost everyone on this planet.
- Lastly, the coolness factor associated with speaking English can sometimes signify a certain British quality or lifestyle which can add to its appeal.
2. Why English is more popular than other languages?
English is an international language with a global reach. It is flexible, versatile and easy to understand due to its colloquialism. Additionally, English is easy to learn and has a coolness factor that contributes to the language’s popularity.
3. Why do we need to learn English?
There are a number of reasons why people need to learn English. One of them is English is the common language in so many countries and as such learning, it can help you develop relationships with people from around the world.
4. Is English a simple language in the world?
English is often considered one of the simpler languages in the world for several reasons, but it’s important to note that simplicity can be subjective and depends on various factors such as a person’s native language, prior language learning experience, and individual learning style. Here are some reasons why English is often perceived as relatively simple:
- Alphabet and Phonetics
- Lack of Grammatical Gender
- Simplified Verb Conjugation
- Word Order
- Global Influence
All in all, English is a valuable world language now and in the future. Understanding why the English Language is so popular is a very important thing when you want to learn it. English pronunciation and speaking it fluently is an important skill that every person should have to communicate with others. A person can be successful in life if they are fluent in English.
References:
- Eastbourne, L. (n.d.). Why The English Language Is So Popular | English School | LTC. https://ltc-english.com/why-english-language-is-so-popular/
- Buchanan, A. (2019, December 6). 5 Reasons Why Is English The “Global Language” of Today. Speak English Center. https://www.speakenglishcenter.com/english-5-reasons-why-is-english-the-global-language-of-today/?lang=en