Many marvels of the English language
The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination; it is the property of the language itself. — Derek Walcott
MY school had a strict policy of speaking only in English on the campus. Students flouting this rule were either made to stand outside the classroom for a period of time or pay a fine. This rule was an irritant as speaking the mother tongue was an easier option. But now I think that it was a good strategy to make us speak English fluently.
A few days ago, I chanced upon a popular YouTube video in which an autorickshaw driver was speaking English flawlessly. He was conversing with a foreign tourist with such ease and confidence that the tripper was awestruck. Learning a foreign language, especially an international one such as English, can go a long way in helping us gain confidence when we travel or deal with foreigners.
Here are some interesting facts about this language: It is spoken by about 1.5 billion people worldwide, making it the most spoken language. Did you know that a new word is being added to the dictionary every two hours? More than 1,70,000 English words are currently in use. English has borrowed words from over 350 languages, making it the most evolving one. It is a member of the Germanic family of languages. The legendary William Shakespeare is believed to have contributed more than 1,700 words to the language — and they are still being used. English is the main medium of instruction in most of the top universities in the world.
Every year, English Language Day is celebrated on April 23 as a mark of respect to Shakespeare, whose birth and death anniversaries fall on that day. The day promotes the significance of the role of the English language in international relations, business and education. It also highlights the importance of learning the language and gaining proficiency in it as it opens doors for individuals in various ventures.
Why is English such an acclaimed language? Once upon a time, the British declared that the sun never set on their empire. This tremendous global expansion may have led to the popularity of English. Also, it might be due to the fact that the global economy has long treated it as its universal language of business.
Being one of the most versatile languages, what makes it a living language is that it has the ability to evolve and adapt itself. American poet and essayist Walt Whitman said: ‘The English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the free and compacted composition of all.’ Hail the English language!
