The History of English - Global English (10/10)

Summary

The script humorously discusses the evolution of the English language over 1500 years since the Romans left Britain. It highlights English’s ability to absorb words from over 350 languages, becoming a global institution despite its confusing spelling system. With 1.5 billion speakers worldwide, English is now more of a global language than one tied to England. The script touches on regional variations like Hinglish, Chinglish, and Singlish, and playfully suggests that it might be time to rename English, potentially with a Chinese influence.

Takeaways

• 📜 English has evolved significantly since the Romans left Britain 1500 years ago.
• 🌍 English has a unique ability to absorb and evolve, incorporating words from over 350 languages.
• 📈 The language started with foreign settlers and became a fully-fledged language of its own.
• 🚢 English spread globally first through colonialism and later through modern technology, like the internet.
• 🔤 English’s written alphabet doesn't match how it sounds, making spelling and pronunciation challenging.
• 👥 Around 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide, but only a quarter are native speakers.
• 🌐 A quarter of English speakers use it as a second language, while half know enough to ask for basic things like directions.
• 💬 Variants of English exist, such as Hinglish (Hindi-English), Chinglish (Chinese-English), and Singlish (Singaporean English).
• 🇬🇧 English has evolved so much that its connection to England is now minimal.
• 🈴 A new name for the global language could be in Chinese, reflecting its widespread use beyond just England.

Q & A

What is unique about the English language's evolution according to the script?

English has shown a unique ability to absorb, evolve, invade, and even 'steal' from other languages, making it highly adaptive.

How did the English language start, according to the script?

English began when foreign settlers introduced it to Britain, eventually evolving into a fully-fledged language of its own.

What methods have helped English spread globally?

English spread through colonial expansion via sea voyages and more recently through digital means like the internet.

How many languages has English borrowed words from, as mentioned in the script?

English has borrowed words from over 350 languages.

What is ironic about the English alphabet and spelling system?

The script points out that English has a written alphabet that doesn't correlate well with how words sound, and the spelling system is so complex it’s humorously compared to something even Dan Brown would struggle to decipher.

How many people speak English today and what are the proportions of native vs. non-native speakers?

About 1.5 billion people speak English. A quarter are native speakers, another quarter speak it as a second language, and half can manage basic tasks like asking for directions.

What are some examples of hybrid forms of English mentioned in the script?

The script mentions Hinglish (Hindi-English), Chinglish (Chinese-English), and Singlish (Singaporean English).

What does the script suggest about the modern relationship between English and England?

The script humorously suggests that English has little to do with England these days, and it might be time to rename it.

Why does the script propose that the new name for English should be in Chinese?

The suggestion to name English in Chinese is a playful commentary on China's growing global influence.

How does the script characterize English as a global language?

The script portrays English as a global institution, reflecting its widespread use and ability to adapt across different cultures and regions.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Global Journey of the English Language

English has transformed remarkably over the past 1500 years since the Romans left Britain. It has evolved by absorbing influences from foreign settlers, growing into a distinct language. From its humble beginnings, it spread globally, first through maritime exploration and later through modern technology like the internet. Along the way, English adopted words from over 350 languages, solidifying its status as a global institution. Despite its widespread use, the language's written form often lacks correlation with its pronunciation, and its spelling system is famously confusing. Today, around 1.5 billion people speak English: one-quarter are native speakers, another quarter speak it as a second language, and half can use it for basic communication, such as asking for directions. There are numerous hybrid forms of English, such as Hinglish (Hindi-English), Chinglish (Chinese-English), and Singlish (Singaporean English). As the language has become less tied to England, the narrator suggests it may be time to rename it, perhaps even in Chinese.

Keywords

💡Absorb

In the context of the video, 'absorb' refers to English's ability to take in and integrate influences from other languages and cultures. This is a core characteristic of the language’s development, as English has borrowed words from over 350 different languages throughout its evolution. The word emphasizes how English has grown by incorporating foreign vocabulary and concepts, illustrating its adaptability.

💡Evolve

'Evolve' describes the gradual development and transformation of English over time. From its origins after the Romans left Britain to its modern global presence, English has continually changed, adopting new words, structures, and expressions. The video underscores this by mentioning how English has traveled and changed across the world, evolving through different forms like Hinglish and Chinglish.

💡Pilfer

'Pilfer' refers to the idea that English has 'stolen' or borrowed words from other languages. The humorous tone in the video uses 'pilfering' to highlight English’s tendency to incorporate vocabulary from various languages, often without much alteration, creating a vast, diverse lexicon. This word encapsulates English’s unstructured way of growth and accumulation.

💡Global institution

The term 'global institution' refers to the widespread use and significance of English around the world. English has transcended its roots in England to become a language spoken by 1.5 billion people, serving as a common means of communication in business, education, and media. The video emphasizes this by noting how English has spread globally, particularly through modern technology like broadband.

💡350 languages

This number signifies the vast variety of languages that have contributed to the English lexicon. Over time, English has borrowed words and phrases from 350 different languages, making it one of the most eclectic languages in terms of vocabulary. This fact is used in the video to illustrate the language’s rich, multicultural heritage.

💡Spelling system

The 'spelling system' refers to the often confusing and irregular way English words are written compared to how they are pronounced. The video humorously suggests that even someone like Dan Brown, known for solving intricate puzzles, would struggle to make sense of English spelling. This highlights one of the most notorious challenges learners and speakers of English face.

💡Native speakers

'Native speakers' refers to people who have learned English as their first language, which constitutes about a quarter of the 1.5 billion English speakers globally. The video points out that English is not just the property of native speakers, as it is widely used by non-native speakers in various forms across the world.

💡Hinglish

Hinglish, a blend of Hindi and English, represents one of the many hybrid forms of English spoken around the world. The video mentions Hinglish to showcase how English has fused with local languages in different regions, creating unique dialects that are influenced by both English and the regional language. It emphasizes English’s adaptability.

💡Chinglish

Chinglish is a mix of Chinese and English, demonstrating how English adapts when used by speakers of other languages, especially in non-native English-speaking countries. This hybrid form is mentioned in the video as one of the many versions of English that exists today, highlighting the language’s global and evolving nature.

💡Singlish

Singlish, or Singaporean English, is another example of a localized form of English that blends English with various other languages spoken in Singapore, such as Malay, Tamil, and Chinese. The video references Singlish to illustrate the diverse ways in which English has adapted to different linguistic and cultural environments.

Highlights

English has evolved by absorbing and pilfering words from over 350 languages.

English started as a mix of foreign influences, becoming its own language over time.

English spread globally, first through maritime exploration and later through the internet.

There are about 1.5 billion English speakers today.

Only a quarter of those speakers are native English speakers.

Another quarter speak English as their second language.

Half of the 1.5 billion can only ask for basic things like directions.

There are various English hybrids, such as Hinglish (Hindi-English) and Chinglish (Chinese-English).

English's written alphabet does not match its pronunciation, making it notoriously difficult to learn.

The English spelling system is complex and inconsistent.

English has become a global institution, influencing many other cultures.

English has evolved to the point where its connection to England is minimal.

It is suggested that 'English' should be renamed, given its widespread global use.

If a new name for English were created, it should be in Chinese, reflecting the language's global nature.

English has adapted and evolved over 1,500 years since the Romans left Britain.

Transcripts

In the 1500 years since the Roman’s left Britain,

English has shown an unique ability to absorb, evolve, invade

and, if we’re honest, steal.

After foreign settlers got it started, it grew into a fully-fledged language all of its own,

before leaving home and travelling the world, first via the high seas, then via the high speed broadband connection,

pilfering words from over 350 languages and establishing itself as a global institution.

All this despite a written alphabet that bears no correlation to how it sounds

and a system of spelling that even Dan Brown couldn’t decipher.

Right now around 1.5 billion people now speak English.

Of these about a quarter are native speakers,

a quarter speak it as their second language,

and half are able to ask for directions to a swimming pool.

There’s Hinglish – which is Hindi-English,

Chinglish – which is Chinese-English and

Singlish – which is Singaporean English –

and not that bit when they speak in musicals.

So in conclusion, the language has got so little to do with England

these days it may well be time to stop calling it ‘English’.

But if someone does think up a new name for it,

it should probably be in Chinese.