Render the text “The world of English” using the cues below to help you.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 510.

Analyse the reading.

IV. Speaking activities.

1. Define the lingua franca. Is English a lingua franca? If so, prove it.

2. What do they mean by “false friends”?

3. How many people in the world speak English as a first and a second language?

4. Are estimates of English speaker numbers the same?

5. Do you think English will remain a vital linguistic tool for many people for many years to come?

6. What was the role of British colonization in the spread of English throughout the world?

7. Does the spread of English depend on economics?

8. What does “globalization” mean?

9. What spheres of human activity is English used in?

– lingua franca/ the European Union/ borrowings/ language of international communication

– spread of English/ overlap with other languages/ intriguing debates

– Braj Kachru (1985)/ first language – 320-380 mln/ second language – 250-350 mln.

– David Crystal (1995-1997)/ 75 territories/ 377mln/ 98mln.

– 1620/ Pilgrim Fathers/ Massachusetts/ religion/ pioneering spirit/ colonization.

– 26th January, 1788/ Commander Philip/ British flag/ Sydney Cove/ convicts.

– India/ indigenous languages/ imposition of English/ unifying means of control.

– spread of commerce/ Pilger (1998)/ “Globalization”.

– travel and tourism/ signs in airports/ airline announcements.

– air traffic control/ sea travel communication.

– information exchange/ conferences/ journal articles/ Internet

– popular culture/ planet's airwaves/ cinema and TV.