Definition of English

English is currently considered the most important language worldwide, either for those who speak it as a first language or those who speak it as a second language, that is, as a secondary language after the mother tongue. Although native-type English speakers (those who speak it as the official language of the country where they were born) are not as many as those of other languages ​​such as Spanish or Chinese, English absolutely wins every battle when speaking to people who speak or are fluent in English as a second language.

In this sense, it can be said that the English language is present in almost the entire world and is considered the main element of communication between very diverse cultures that share few or no common features. The phenomenon of the English language is interesting because it can also be related to a debate about its presence throughout the world, its reasons and consequences.

Let’s start at the beginning: what is English?

The English language, as its name says, is the official language of England, the country in which it originates. As history progressed, and England conquered numerous territories inside and outside Europe, the English language would become one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world: territories such as Wales, Scotland and Ireland (within Europe), the United States, Jamaica , Canada (in America), South Africa and many regions of Oceania would accept it as an official language, obviously with variations in vocabulary, pronunciation and accent.

It is also the official language in countries like India, which is very striking if we take into account that there is no other territory in Asia that has it as a central language. This is due to the English presence in India and the diffusion that the language had even after the withdrawal of the English presence in the region.

In all the mentioned regions, the English language covers a host of basic needs that are allowing the inhabitants of the region to communicate, as well as establishing the official language in which texts are written, government documents are drawn up, etc. In some of them it is the naturally original language while in others it was imposed with more or less force. A curious fact to take into account is how some languages ​​have taken many elements from English: thus, languages ​​like Irish can have a meeting point with English despite being from two different branches, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon respectively.

The importance of English as a world language

In recent times, especially since the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, English has progressively become the most widely used language in the world. Thus, it has ousted languages ​​such as French or Italian, even German, which were traditional in some scientific or artistic fields. Globalization has been of great relevance here as a means through which English has grown infinitely.

The phenomenon of globalization has contributed greatly to making English the most important and necessary language today, since it is understood as the language of the dominant countries worldwide (especially the United States and England). Through cultural consumption (films, series, music) and also from political, diplomatic, and economic spheres, English has been advancing over the native languages ​​of each place, occupying small places with colloquial or circumstantial words until allowing idioms to be adopted. , phrases and abstract concepts even in places where the population does not fully speak or master English.

Thus, today it is essential to be trained in the level of English not only for labor issues (having a good level of English is undoubtedly a good gateway to better job positions) but also to communicate, to be able to access more knowledge and information, to be updated, etc.

Criticism of the presence of English as a world language

From many places, a critical view of the phenomenon of English is made, understanding it as another invasion by the most powerful countries of those with less power. It is even pointed out that many times the local and native languages ​​of other parts of the world are more complex than English itself and that this speaks of much more elaborate cultures than the Anglo-Saxon. On the other hand, recognition is requested of other languages ​​that are slowly growing, such as Chinese or Spanish. Finally, many theorists demand that languages ​​that have been lost due to the impressive invasion of English be respected, revived, and recovered, for example, the American and African languages.

Photos: iStock, Oko_SwanOmurphy / VvoeVale

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