Interpreting Training: Note-Taking Practice Exercise (Speech #3) – The Origins of English

Summary

English is the most widely spoken language today, not by native speakers, but when including second-language speakers. Its rise as a global lingua franca is a result of historical influences, from the Anglo-Saxon, Latin, and Norse invasions to the Norman French influence, which reshaped its vocabulary and spelling. The language evolved further with contributions from Greek, Italian, Spanish, and many others. Today, English is a dominant force in global communication, influencing numerous modern languages and keeping the world connected, for better or worse.

Takeaways

• 😀 English is the most widely spoken language in the world, not by native speakers but when combining both native and second-language speakers.
• 😀 Chinese Mandarin has the most native speakers, but English surpasses it in total speakers worldwide.
• 😀 English has become a global lingua franca, enabling communication across different cultures and countries.
• 😀 English is a compulsory subject in the education system of many countries, even if it is not the official language.
• 😀 The development of English has been heavily influenced by Latin, despite its roots in the Germanic language family.
• 😀 The Viking invasions in the 8th century introduced Norse language influences into English.
• 😀 The most significant external influence on English, especially in vocabulary and spelling, came from French due to the Norman invasion.
• 😀 Words like 'queen' in English were affected by the Norman influence, with old spellings like 'cwen' evolving over time.
• 😀 Over time, English absorbed loanwords from many languages, including Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Turkish.
• 😀 English, after being influenced by multiple languages, now serves as the major influencer for many modern languages around the world.
• 😀 English has become the language that connects the global community, for better or worse, in modern times.

Q & A

What is the most widely spoken language in the world today?

English is the most widely spoken language in the world today when considering both native and second-language speakers.

Which language has the most native speakers?

Chinese, specifically Mandarin, holds the title for the most native speakers.

How did English become the most spoken language globally?

English became the most spoken language globally by adding the number of people who speak it as a second language to those who have it as their mother tongue.

What is a 'lingua franca,' and why is English considered one?

A 'lingua franca' is a common language used for communication between speakers of different native languages. English is considered the modern global lingua franca due to its widespread use for international communication.

Why is English taught in many countries even if it is not the official language?

English is taught as a compulsory subject in public education systems worldwide because of its global importance in communication, business, and technology.

Which family of languages does English belong to?

English is a member of the Western branch of the Germanic family of languages.

What languages were spoken in the British Isles before the Anglo-Saxon invasions?

Before the Anglo-Saxon invasions, the languages spoken in the British Isles belonged to the Celtic family.

What major language influences shaped Old English?

Old English was heavily influenced by Latin, Norse (due to the Viking invasions), and French (particularly Norman French due to the Norman Conquest).

How did the Norman invasion influence the English language?

The Norman invasion introduced Norman French into England, influencing English vocabulary, spelling, and even grammatical structures.

Can you provide an example of how the Norman invasion changed English spelling?

A famous example is the word 'queen,' which was originally spelled 'cwen' in Old English. The influence of the Normans led to the modern spelling of 'queen.'

How many languages contributed to the development of English?

English has incorporated loanwords from many languages, including Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Turkish, among others.

What is the significance of the sentence 'The entrance for the lottery tickets was obstructed, so I bought tobacco instead' in understanding English's evolution?

This sentence demonstrates how virtually every word is a loanword from another language, showcasing the diverse linguistic influences on English over time.

What role does English play in the modern world today?

English has become the primary language that connects people worldwide, influencing most modern languages and serving as a tool for global communication.