Checkpoints
1.
A lingua franca, like English, is a language that is used for communication by two people who doesn't speak the same native language.
2.
We say that English is the most important lingua franca because most people speak it, even if it's not an official language in their country.
3.
The British Empire was build under Queen Elizabeth and the rulers up to 400 years after her.
4.
In the first half of the twentieth century, Britain suffered great losses from the two world wars. This, and major political turmoil in Africa and the Indian sub-continent, meant that Britain lost it's position as the world's leading power.
5.
Today. the English language is still important, because when Britain lost its power, USA gained theirs and could continue the international importance.
Viewpoints
1.
Do I believe English threatens the position of national languages in small countries such as Norway? Yes. Norwegians keep adding English words to their everyday sentences, so I think English will eventually be on the same line as Norwegian.
2.
Are there any other languages which can threaten the position of English as a world language? I don't think so. English is widely spread all over the world, so if it would be replaced, it may be with Chinese, because China keeps getting more power, so it would've been a good thing to know the Chinese language.
The History of English in 10 Minutes
Comprehension questions
1.
1500 years have passed since the Romans left Britain, and after they left the English still used the language
2.
People traveled overseas and communicated in English
3.
English is a mix of over 350 languages
4.
Around 1.5 billion people speak English today
5.
A quarter of these are native English speakers
6.
A quarter of the total speak English as their second language
7.
The alphabet sounds weird and the spelling system is weird as well
8.
Singlish, Hinglish and Chinglish are mixes between English and Singaporean, Hindu and Chinese, They have such a mixed language that it's either one of the languages
9.
Because Chinese will probably soon be a world language
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