The English language rules the world

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 fact, one of which is the fact that Britain was a world power during colonial days, and today the United States is perhaps the most powerful nation in the world. Due to this global domination, learning English is essential to communicate successfully in our new global society.

English dominates the business world

The world is adapting 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 has happened. Today, a meeting between business leaders in Europe who are from different nations will be more likely to occur in English than in one of the native languages ​​of the professionals.

Why is this? English domination is due, in large part, to statistics. The European Union reports that almost 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 those in their teens and twenties speak decent English. In today’s world, learning English just makes 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 primary language used in the fields of science is English.

The Internet also plays a role in making English the dominant language in the world. At the moment, the vast majority of online resources are written in English. Translations are available, but the primary language of most websites, up to 80 percent of all websites, is English. Also, most of the forums are frequented by English-speaking people, which means that the free online exchange of ideas is more accessible to those who can read and write in English.

English is the language of culture

While all countries have their own actors, actresses and singers, those who achieve worldwide recognition are almost always English artists. If you take the iPod of someone in a non-English speaking country, you will probably find some songs sung in English, if not most of the songs. The icons of pop culture are world celebrities, and the vast majority of those who achieve world recognition are English speakers.

English is the language of education

From the youngest students to the advanced graduate students, those involved in education around the world are learning English. Primary schools in European and Asian countries 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 their children teach them English through native speakers. Countries like China are paying Americans to come to their lands and teach them conversational English.

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. However, that was a time when the world was not connected with the click of a mouse or the dialing of a phone. Today, English is becoming a global language and will likely remain there, albeit in a unique way that is a bit different than it is today. Regardless of the future of the language, it is clear that to have an impact on today’s economy, one must know how to use English well.