Development of English as a Global Language

Flashcards about the development of the English language. These cards cover the history, influences, and evolution of English, from its origins in the Indo-European language family to its status as a global lingua franca.

What historical factors contributed to the development of English as a hybrid language?

Multiple invasions, migrations, and colonization efforts shaped English, blending Germanic roots with Norse, Latin, and French influences.

How does the spread of English reflect historical power dynamics?

English became dominant due to political, economic, and technological power, driven by colonialism and the rise of the British Empire and the United States.

What is the Indo-European language family?

The Indo-European language family is the world’s largest language family, covering languages across Europe, parts of Asia, and the Americas, including Germanic, Romance, and Slavic branches.

What is Proto-Indo-European (PIE)?

PIE is the hypothesized common ancestor of many European and South Asian languages, reconstructed through linguistic methods.

What is linguistic reconstruction?

Linguistic reconstruction involves tracing the origins and evolution of languages by comparing words, sounds, and structures in related languages, using tools like cognates to understand ancient languages such as Proto-Indo-European (PIE).

What are cognates?

Cognates are words in different languages that share a common origin, helping linguists trace languages back to a common ancestor, like PIE.

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

The term Anglo-Saxon generally refers to three Germanic tribes: the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes who migrated to and settled in Britain in the 5th century AD.

How did the Anglo-Saxon language evolve into Old English?

The Anglo-Saxon language, or Old English, developed from the blending of the Germanic languages spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians who settled in Britain.

What influence did the Viking invasions have on Old English?

Between the 8th and 11th centuries, Viking invasions led to the adoption of numerous Old Norse words into Old English, enriching its vocabulary.

What was the impact of the Norman Conquest on the English language?

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, England became a bilingual society with Norman French influencing English, especially in law, governance, and religion, leading to significant changes in syntax and vocabulary.

How did Old English syntax work?

Old English was heavily inflected, with three grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) and a complex system of word endings that changed based on the grammatical role of the word.

What are key features of Middle English (1150-1500 AD)?

Middle English is characterized by the simplification of grammar with the loss of inflections, heavy French influence in vocabulary, and the emergence of works like Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

What was the Great Vowel Shift?

Between the 1400s and 1600s, English pronunciation experienced a significant change known as the Great Vowel Shift, which altered the pronunciation of long vowels.

How did the printing press influence the English language?

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to the standardization of English spelling, as printers began to adopt consistent ways of spelling words to make texts more readable.

What was Shakespeare's influence on Modern English?

William Shakespeare introduced new words into the English vocabulary and showcased the flexibility of English through his creative use of puns, metaphors, and wordplay.

How did English spread during British colonization?

During the British Empire, English spread to colonies for administration, governance, and education. The result was a new language blended with local tongues.

How does English function as a link language in India?

English serves as a link language between India’s diverse linguistic communities, used in government, business, and education, while also evolving into a unique variety with its own vocabulary and grammatical structures.

What role does English play as a lingua franca in Africa?

In many African countries, English serves as a lingua franca, bridging the communication gap between different ethnic groups with diverse languages, and it has given rise to unique local varieties.

What are English-based creoles in the Caribbean?

In the Caribbean, English mixed with African languages to create creole languages spoken by enslaved populations, reflecting the region’s unique cultural history and African influences.

What are New Englishes?

New Englishes are modern varieties of English that have developed, blending English with local linguistic patterns.

How has globalization influenced the emergence of “New Englishes”?

With globalization, English has taken on new forms shaped by local languages, cultures, and social conditions. In Singapore, Singlish is a local form of English mixed with Malay, Tamil, and Chinese dialects. Philippine English is a mix of American English and Filipino languages.

What are some key considerations for teaching ESL in Kenya?

Consider the influence of local languages on pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, and use culturally relevant teaching materials and contexts.

How is English used in South Asia?

In South Asia, English serves as an official language and a medium for education, government, and business, with South Asian varieties of English often influenced by native languages.

How is English used in Southeast Asia?

English is important for international business, education, and technology in Southeast Asia, with Singapore English (Singlish) and Malaysian English (Manglish) blending English with local languages and cultures.

How has the pronunciation of English in Kenya been influenced by local languages?

Kenyan English pronunciation has been influenced by local dialects. For example the 'th' sound may be pronounced as a 't' or a 'd'.

What is the role of English that was formerly colonial in Africa?

Former British colonial Africa is a place where English serves as a linking language that unites linguistically diverse countries.

What are some characteristics of the "New Englishes"?

The "New Englishes" have unique pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary with words and expressions borrowed from local languages.

What factors contributed to the emergence of English as a global language?

Historical influences, economic influences and cultural influences all contributed to the emergence of English as a global language.

Why it is important to balance global communications with the preservation of indigenous languages?

Promoting bilingualism or multilingualism can ensure that citizens are proficient in both English (for global communication) and their local languages (for cultural preservation).