The Importance of Oral English

The Importance of Oral English

1. English is the language of the internet

1. English is the language of international business

1. English is the language of science

1. Chinese companies are the largest in the world

History

English is the global lingua franca.  Sometimes the terms International English or Global English are used.  It was not always so.  400 years ago when Shakespeare, the greatest English playwright, was producing his works, English was spoken by just a few million people, almost all of whom were in England and neighboring countries.  It was almost completely unknown in Asia or Africa.  In Europe for centuries the lingua franca had been Latin.  French would emerge as the international language in the 17th century.  English was not considered important.

The printing press and the increase in the availability of books revolutionized languages and communication starting around 1500.  Modern English, including the language of Shakespeare, was born, but English does not emerge as an important international language for several more centuries.  At the dawn of the contemporary era several things occur simultaneously that will launch English as a Global Language.

In 1776:

1. The Industrial Revolution, James Watt, the Steam Engine
2. The Capitalist Revolution, Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
3. The American Revolution, George Washington, The Declaration of Independence

From 1776 new technology and economic organization vastly increase human productivity, and there is a massive increase in world trade, globalization.  The United States of America (USA) surpasses England in wealth and power.  In 1945, the end of World War Two (WW II), there is little doubt but that the USA is the world’s economic powerhouse.  American English becomes the world’s lingua franca.  English is a Global Language.

The printing press revolutionized language and communication 500 years ago, and today the computer and the internet are revolutionizing language and communication yet again.

English is the language of the Internet

Over 50% of internet content is in English.  The next most commonly used language is Russian at less than 6%.  The use of Chinese, while growing, is less than 3% of internet content.  Computers and the internet form the basis of the modern information revolution.  To fully exploit this requires English.  Technology has made it possible to instantaneously communicate with someone anywhere in the world at any time, but this technology is useless in the absence of a common language.  Clearly English is the language required to fully exploit this new technology.

English is the language of science

More than 98% of scientific articles published are in English.  To work or study in the sciences English will be required.  Whether one wishes to obtain information or send information, without English, the number of people you can reach is extremely limited.  If you wish to obtain the most up to date information, you will be unable to do so without English.  If you wish to sell your information or ideas, you will have a very limited market indeed without English.  Without English, there will be almost no capability to communicate with your peers across the globe.

English is the language of international business

About 20% of the world economy is traded internationally.  This is nearly 20 Trillion American Dollars, more than 120 Trillion Chinese Yuan.  This is equal in size to the entire Chinese Economy, which is the largest in the world.  A Trillion is a one followed by twelve zeros: 1,000,000,000,000.  The share of world output that is traded grows larger each year.  Much of international business is conducted in English.  Whether you are buying or selling, if you want to function in the international market place effectively, English is essential.  English is used by 1,750 million people worldwide, 25% of the world’s population, and yet there are only 385 million native speakers.

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