The role of the English language today
In the following section, we will provide you with some suggestions you could consider when you analyze “Learn English online: How the internet is changing language” and “The World’s English Mania”. Here, we focus on the role of the English language in the world today and the language, the argument, the medium and the intention of the authors of the two materials. We discuss each material one at a time.…
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Learn English online: How the internet is changing language
“Learn English online: How the internet is changing language” is an article written by Jane O’Brien and it was published on the BBC News website, on December 4, 2012.
In the article we find several arguments on the role of English language in the world today:
English is a lingua franca for people that speak different languages. Most know English as a second language, so English enables communication: “Online, English has become a common language for users from around the world”. (l. 1) and “That’s because people who speak English as a second language already outnumber native speakers. And increasingly they use it to communicate with other non-native speakers, particularly on the internet...” (ll. 17-18)
It helps create new languages: “Instead, other languages are pushing their way into English, and in the process creating something new”. (l. 67)
It is the language of entertainme…
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The World’s English Mania
“The World’s English Mania” is a TED talk from TED website, delivered by Jay Walker in 2009.
Jay Walker puts forth various arguments on the role of English language in the world today. According to the speaker:
Learning English has become so popular that the world developed a mania for this: “The world has a new mania. A mania for learning English”. (0:58)
Learning English means more opportunities for people living in third countries. This language can change their lives: “Why English? In a single word: Opportunity. Opportunity for a better life, a job, to be able to pay for school, or put better food on the table”. (1:44)
English can help create a worldwide conversation about issues that concern us all: “But with English you can become part of a wider conversation: a global conversation about global problems,…
