The English language in modern lifeFor a long time the British Empire tried to enforce the English language as the only means of communication in the colonized nations in Africa, Asia, Australia, West Indies, North America, Ulster in Ireland and others. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries the Empire was weakened. Most of the former British colonies began the national liberation movement and in the result they managed to gain their independence. The British Empire was disintegrated. But in spite of that the English language did not lose its dominant position in the former colonies, which continue their connection in linguistic and cultural rather than political spheres. Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are regarded as English-speaking countries. Though the customs, traditions and the ways of life in these countries are quite different, they have owed common language - English. It is the language of their ancestors who once left their homeland and sailed across the oceans in search of a new life and happy future. The English language has become widely spread now. It is one of the world's most important languages. It is an international language, the language of progressive science and engineering. We may say that English now is number one in the world, second only to Chinese. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations organization. It is the major international language of communication in such areas as politics, science, technology, business, cultural and trade relations. It is the language of navigation, aviation, literature, education, modern music, international sport and tourism. Asany other languages, English is a manifestation of culture. With the help of the English language one can acquire cultural background information and increase the knowledge about English-speaking countries and the people who live there, about their customs and traditions. English is a working language of the Internet service. Seventy five per cent of the world's mail is in English. The greatest number of press production is published in English as well. More than a half of the world's periodicals are also printed in English. More than 60 per cent of the world's radio stations broadcast in English. Nowadays English is becoming the language for practical usage. It is spoken in business. English is widely spoken at international conferences and also by those who travel in Europe, Asia, Africa and even in South America. English is generally considered to become the most fashionable language in the world. It is the main means of international exchange at present. According to Peter Stevens, there are two main families of Standard English, the American and the British. American English is spoken in the USA and Canada. British English is spoken in the West Indies, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. There are many varieties of English, but American, Canadian, Australian, Indian speakers of English, in spite of the differences in pronunciation, structure and vocabulary, would recognize that they are all speaking the same basic language. English is used as a second language by lots of people in India, Pakistan, in numerous countries in Africa and by a number of people all over the world who know English as a foreign language. In several African countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, English is spoken in schools and colleges. Nowadays, above 350 million people speak English as their native language. About the same number use it as a second language. English is spoken by no less than 50 per cent of people on the Earth. The future of English as a global language will depend very largely on the political, economical and cultural trends in the world. The beginning of the 21st century is a time of global transition. According to some experts, faster economic globalization is going hand in hand with the growing use of English. More and more people are being encouraged to use or send messages in English rather than in their own language. On the other hand, the period of most rapid change can be expected to be an uncomfortable and at times traumatic experience for many of the world's citizens. Hence, according to other experts, the next 20 years or so will be a critical time for the English language and for those who depend upon it. The patterns of usage and public attitudes to English which develop during this period will have long-term effects for its future in the world. 1. Since what time has English been concidered a world language? 2. What are English-speaking countries? 3. What makes the English language leading in the modern world? 4. What are the varieties of English? 5. What is the future of English? 6. How many people speak English in your country? What are most common reasons for learning it? 2. Complete the sentences: 1. English is spoken by.... 2. English has become the language of.... 3. English is a way …. 4. There are many varieties of English. They are.... 5. In modern world English is …. 6. The future of English …. 3. Give the retelling of the text: VI. Speak on the topic “My study of English”. Use the following sentences as a guide: 1. I have been learning English for… 2. I began to study it at school and now we have … periods of English a week at University. 3. We always have a lot of work to do at our English classes. We …. 4. Our teacher often gives us different tests to check our knowledge in …. 5. The easiest thing for me is ….The most difficult thing is …. 6. It takes me … to do my homework in English. Our teacher usually gives us …. 7. I try to do my best because I understand that learning English is very important in the modern world because English is …. 8. Nowadays employers pay much attention to the knowledge of a foreign language and if I know it well it can help me to get a better job…. VII. Fill in the blanks with the given words: dictionary, special, appear, subject, purposes, pronunciation DICTIONARIES We all know the saying of a wise man who lived more than two thousand years ago: «Of making books is no end». If he had been living today, he might have said the same of dictionaries, for several new ones a. ____ every year. They are needed for various b. ____. Even in our own language we often find it necessary to look up a word, sometimes for the spelling, sometimes for the c. ____, or it may be for the meaning or origin of the word. In the twentieth century, with the increase in scientific and other knowledge, special dictionaries have to be made for d. _____ groups of word — commercial, technical, psychological, medical, etc. There are some very large dictionaries which are supposed to contain all the words of the language, but they are not convenient to use. They are too heavy, and take up too much room. If you are studying one e. ____, it is much better to have a dictionary which is no bigger than an ordinary book. Students of a foreign language need a f. ____ which contains all the words in common use in their own language and the one they are trying to learn, that is, the words they are likely to hear in conversation, and on the radio, and those they will meet in the books and newspapers they read. Answer the questions: 1. What is the role of dictionaries in studying foreign languages? 2. What types of dictionaries do you know? 3. What dictionaries do you use in your study of English?
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