How English Took Over the World | Otherwords

Summary

The video script explores why English is the world's most spoken language, with over 1.5 billion speakers, and delves into the variety of Englishes influenced by culture and history. Dr. Erica Brozovsky explains the rise of English from a diplomatic backwater to a global powerhouse due to historical events and economic influence, particularly American English's spread through pop culture. The script also discusses the lack of a standard English and the impact of local languages on global English variants, concluding that English's popularity is rooted in economic and cultural dominance.

Takeaways

• 🌏 English is the most widely spoken language globally, with an estimated 1.5 billion speakers, making up over 18% of the world's population.
• 🌐 The diversity of Englishes around the world, numbering over 160, is attributed to the influence of various cultures and societies on the language.
• 📚 English language education is considered essential, with 138 countries mandating its teaching as part of their core curriculum, covering 70% of the world's countries.
• 🎓 The lack of a central governing body for English, unlike French, allows for a wide range of variations in its usage worldwide.
• 🏛 Historically, French was the language of diplomacy and prestige in Europe, but the global power dynamics shifted with the 20th-century World Wars.
• 💥 The World Wars, particularly World War II, marked a significant shift in global power, elevating English, especially American English, due to the economic and cultural influence of the United States.
• 🎬 American English's popularity is further boosted by the global spread of American pop culture, including TV, music, food, and cinema.
• 🗣️ English variations are influenced by local languages and cultures, such as Singlish in Singapore, which incorporates elements from Malay, Hokkien, and Tamil.
• 🌈 Braj Kachru's three-circle model categorizes countries based on their relationship with English: inner circle (primary language), outer circle (official or second language), and expanding circle (foreign language).
• 🔮 The future of English could see further diversification or convergence due to increased global interconnectedness, but its status as a world language is likely to continue unless another economic power influences language popularity.
• 🌟 Speaking English, or multiple languages, significantly expands one's ability to communicate with others, enhancing global connectivity and understanding.

Q & A

Why is English considered the most widely spoken language globally?

English is the most widely spoken language due to its historical spread through colonization, its dominance in technology and innovation, and its association with economic powerhouses like the United States.

What percentage of the world's population speaks English?

Over 1.5 billion people, which is more than 18% of the global population, speak English.

Why are there so many different varieties of English around the world?

The diversity of English is influenced by cultural, societal, historical, political, and geographical factors, as well as the lack of a central governing body to enforce a standard form of English.

What is the historical significance of 'Lingua Franca' in the context of international communication?

Lingua Franca historically referred to a language used for communication between different entities that didn't share the same language, with French being the go-to language for diplomacy and business before English took over.

How did French lose its status as the language of diplomacy and prestige?

French lost its status as the language of diplomacy and prestige due to the global power shifts in the 20th century, particularly after World War II, when English became associated with the new economic powerhouse, the United States.

What is the role of English in the education systems of countries worldwide?

English language education is crucial and is mandated in 138 countries as part of the core curriculum, with another 40 offering it as an optional course, making it a formal part of education in at least 91% of countries.

What are the key factors contributing to the development of new varieties of English?

New varieties of English develop due to the increasing number of English speakers and the influence of local languages and cultures on the English spoken in different regions.

How does the script explain the concept of 'inner circle', 'outer circle', and 'expanding circle' in relation to English-speaking countries?

The script refers to Braj Kachru's three-circle paradigm, where the 'inner circle' includes countries with English as a primary language, the 'outer circle' includes countries where English is an official or second language, often due to colonization, and the 'expanding circle' includes countries where English is learned as a foreign language.

What is the significance of American English in the global popularity of the English language?

American English is particularly popular due to the influence of American pop culture, including TV, music, food, and cinema, which are widely exported and consumed around the world.

How does the script address the potential future scenarios for the English language?

The script suggests that English could either converge due to increased global interconnectedness or diverge to the point of being mutually unintelligible, though the latter is considered unlikely. The most probable scenario is that another economic powerhouse could sway the tide of language popularity.

What is the importance of being able to speak multiple languages in today's globalized world?

Speaking multiple languages, including English, allows individuals to communicate with a significantly larger number of people, enhancing personal and professional opportunities in an interconnected world.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 The Global Dominance of English

This paragraph discusses the widespread use of English, being spoken by over 1.5 billion people worldwide, which accounts for more than 18% of the global population. It delves into the historical and cultural reasons behind the prevalence of different English dialects and the role of English as a lingua franca in various sectors such as aviation and maritime. The importance of English education is highlighted with 138 countries mandating its teaching in their core curriculum, and another 40 offering it as an optional course. The script introduces Dr. Erica Brozovsky, the host of 'Otherwords', who sets the stage for exploring why English, rather than another language, has become so dominant.

05:01

🏛 The Rise and Shift of Lingua Francas

This section of the script explores the historical context that led to English becoming the most widely spoken language, contrasting it with the previous status of French as a lingua franca in diplomacy and business. It explains the concept of 'lingua franca', originally referring to a pidgin language used in the Mediterranean for trade and diplomacy. The script details how French was established in England after the Norman Conquest and became the prestige language of Europe by the 17th century. However, the global power dynamics shifted in the 20th century due to the World Wars, with English gaining ground in diplomacy and economics, especially through the influence of the United States. The paragraph also touches on the lack of a standardizing authority for English, contributing to its diversity, and introduces the cultural and social factors that shape different English dialects around the world.

Keywords

💡English

English is the most widely spoken language on the planet, with over 1.5 billion speakers worldwide, which is more than 18% of the global population. The video discusses how English became the lingua franca and its various forms influenced by different cultures and regions, emphasizing its role in global communication.

💡Lingua Franca

Lingua franca refers to a common language used for communication between people who do not share the same language. The term originates from the language of the Franks, which was used for trade and diplomacy in the Mediterranean basin. In the video, it is mentioned that French was once the lingua franca for diplomacy and business before English took over this role.

💡Cultural Influences

Cultural influences are the effects that different societies and cultures have on the development and use of a language. The video explains that the diversity of English around the world is due to various cultural influences, leading to the existence of over 160 different Englishes.

💡American English

American English is a variety of the English language spoken primarily in the United States. The video's speaker uses American English as an example to illustrate the concept of regional and cultural variations within the English language.

💡Aviation English and Seaspeak

Aviation English and Seaspeak are specialized forms of English used in the aviation and maritime industries, respectively. The script mentions these as examples of how English has become the language of the air and sea, indicating its widespread use in international communication.

💡Mandatory Core Curriculum

A mandatory core curriculum refers to a set of subjects that must be taught in schools as part of the educational requirements. The video states that 138 countries require English to be taught as part of their mandatory curriculum, highlighting the importance placed on English language education globally.

💡Economic Powerhouse

An economic powerhouse is a country with a dominant economy that influences global economic trends. The video explains that after World War II, the United States, as an economic powerhouse, helped establish English as the language of economy and international relations.

💡Pop Culture

Pop culture refers to popular cultural elements such as TV, music, food, and cinema that are widely consumed and influential. The video connects the popularity of American English to the global influence of American pop culture.

💡Standard English

Standard English refers to a variety of English that is considered the most correct and prestigious form of the language. The video points out that unlike French, English does not have a governing body like the Academie Francaise to enforce a standard, leading to a wide range of English varieties.

💡Braj Kachru's Three-Circle Paradigm

Braj Kachru's three-circle paradigm is a model that categorizes countries based on their relationship with the English language. The inner circle includes countries where English is the primary language, the outer circle includes countries where English is an official or second language, often due to colonization, and the expanding circle includes countries where English is learned as a foreign language. The video uses this model to illustrate the global distribution and influence of English.

💡Globalization

Globalization is the process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of English in a globalized world, noting that speaking English allows for communication with a vast number of additional people.

Highlights

English is the most widely spoken language globally, with over 1.5 billion speakers, making up more than 18% of the world's population.

The diversity of Englishes worldwide is influenced by the large number of speakers with different cultural and societal backgrounds.

Dr. Erica Brozovsky introduces the topic of why English has become the most widespread language and the variety of Englishes.

138 countries, or 70% of the world, require English to be taught as part of their mandatory curriculum, with another 40 offering it as an optional course.

At least 91% of countries have some form of formal English language education.

French used to be the primary language for diplomacy and business as a lingua franca before English took over.

The term 'lingua franca' originated from a pidgin language used for trade and diplomacy in the Mediterranean from the 11th to 18th centuries.

French was the most widely spoken language in Europe by the 14th century and became the language of prestige in international relations by the 17th century.

The World Wars and the rise of the United States as an economic powerhouse contributed to English becoming the global language of diplomacy and economy.

American English's popularity is boosted by the influence of American pop culture, including TV, music, food, and cinema.

There is no single standard for English, unlike French, which is regulated by the Academie Francaise.

Cultural, social, historical, political, and geographical factors contribute to the variations in English dialects worldwide.

Different English dialects within the United States, such as African-American English, Chicano English, and Cajun English, reflect cultural heritage.

Global Englishes, like Singapore English or Singlish, incorporate elements from local languages due to historical and cultural influences.

Braj Kachru's three-circle paradigm categorizes countries based on their relationship with English: inner circle, outer circle, and expanding circle.

The future of English could see either convergence due to increased interconnectedness or divergence into mutually unintelligible varieties.

The dominance of English may be challenged by another economic powerhouse in the future, but for now, it remains the foremost world language.

Speaking English allows for communication with over a billion more people, emphasizing the importance of multilingualism in a globalized world.

Transcripts

- English is the most widely spoken language on the planet.

Research estimates that there are upwards

of 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide.

That's billion with a B,

more than 18% of the entire global population.

But how did English become the most widely spoken language

in the world,

and why are there so many different kinds of Englishes?

Well, the first kind of answers the second.

There are so many different world Englishes

because there are just so many English speakers,

with diverse cultural

and societal influences impacting their language use.

I'm speaking American English because I was born, raised.

and educated in the United States,

but there are over 160 different Englishes around the world.

And as more people learn English,

more varieties of English are developing.

It's even the language of the air

and of the sea, Aviation English and Seaspeak.

In fact, English language education is considered so crucial

that 138 countries require English to be taught

as part of the mandatory core curriculum.

That's 70% of the countries in the world,

and another 40 offered as an optional course of study.

So in total, at least 91% of countries have some sort

of formal English language curriculum.

But the real question is why English,

and why not some other language?

Let's jump in.

I'm Dr. Erica Brozovsky,

and this is "Otherwords".

- [Speaker] "Otherwords".

- English wasn't always that popular.

In fact, French used to be the go-to language for diplomacy

and business when communicating between entities

that didn't share the same language,

otherwise known as a lingua franca.

Now, lingua franca literally means language of the Franks,

which at the time

of its creation, really referred to all Western Europeans,

not just the people who live in what is now France.

It derives its same

from the original Lingua Franca, capital L, capital F,

which developed in the Mediterranean basin through borrowing

from several languages and was used for trade

and diplomacy in that area from the 11th to 18th centuries.

Capitalized Lingua Franca is actually

a pigeon language, but that's a topic for another day.

Back to French.

After the Norman Conquest

in the 11th century, William the Conquerer installed

French-speaking nobles to rule England,

who quickly replaced English with French in all domains

of power, from the courts of law to the church.

Although the peasants still spoke English,

the aristocracy maintained French

as their preferred language for the next few hundred years.

And by the 14th century,

French was the most widely spoken language in Europe.

By the 17th century, France was the leading land power

in Europe, and French was well established

as the language of prestige,

replacing Latin

as the language of diplomacy in international relations.

So why aren't we all speaking French right now?

Well, one, we aren't all diplomats,

but even if we were,

there was a huge global power shift in the the 20th century,

(canon fires)

the World Wars.

English was already predominant

in the technology

and innovation sectors thanks to the Industrial Revolution.

But after the first World War,

the negotiated treaties were written not just in French,

but also English, which was a big deal,

giving English space in the diplomacy scene.

After World War II,

France was frankly no longer a dominant power.

English, the defacto language

of the new major economic powerhouse,

the United States, became the language

of the economy, and money talks.

Put simply, English is the most popular language

in the world because of money and power.

And American English is particularly popular

because of pop culture influences imported all

over the world, including TV, music, food, and cinema.

So that answers our first question,

but what about the second one?

Why are there so many different varieties of English?

Well, first, there is no set standard English.

Unlike French, whose standard on everything

from usage and vocabulary to grammar,

and even the dictionary,

is enforced by the Academie Francaise,

English does not have any such authoritative

governing body determining correctness,

which means we get a lot

of variation between Englishes spoken all around the world,

and they're all proper and authentic Englishes.

Beyond that, it's really the same reason

why anyone talks differently from anyone else.

There are cultural, social, historical, political,

and geographical factors that contribute

to the way we all speak.

Within the United States,

we see English as based on cultural heritage,

like African-American English, Chicano English,

and Cajun English,

or on a region like Pittsburghese or Appalachian English.

And if you're from England, you know the difference

between Yorkshire and Lancaster English,

even though the counties are only two

and a half hours apart.

Many global Englishes are influenced by local languages.

For example, Singapore English or Singlish,

which is based on British English

because of that Colonial history,

includes elements such

as discourse particles, and loan words

from other local languages, including Malay, Hokkien,

and Tamil.

The same is true with Nigerian English,

where there weren't words in British English

that expressed certain cultural concepts

that were then borrowed

from Native languages of the region.

Linguists have attempted to organize

the various Englishes into a model.

The most famous is Braj Kachru's three-circle paradigm

where countries are labeled inner circle, outer circle,

and expanding circle.

The inner circle contains the countries

whose primary language is English.

The outer circle contains countries where English

is used as an official language or a second language,

typically countries that were colonized by the inner circle.

And the expanding circle is where English is widely used

but learned as a foreign language.

In other words, everywhere else.

This lends a hierarchical vibe,

but if you've been following along, you know

that no one language is better than any other.

There are multiple scenarios about what could happen next.

Maybe all of our Englishes will converge

because we're all so much more interconnected,

or oppositely,

in a Tower of Babel moment, they'll become so different

as to be mutually unintelligible.

Unlikely.

More likely,

if English doesn't remain the most widely spoken,

it's because another economic powerhouse sways the tide

of language popularity in a different direction.

But for now, English is the foremost world language.

In an increasingly globalized world,

the most important and exciting part

about all these different Englishes

is the fact that if you speak English,

you can communicate with literally a billion more people

than you otherwise could.

And if you can speak multiple languages,

well, then you're ahead of the game.

Replacing Latin as a language of diplomacy

and international relations.

Now, lingua franca, literal, franca, franca.

English wasn't always that popular.

Back to French.