Victims of our own success
The British have spread far and wide. Our language has become the global language. As there are two sides to every coin there is a disadvantage to this. We have become lazy learning new languages. We don't need to so we don't. Consequently most of our European neighbours can come to Britain to work without too much trouble as they speak English, sadly most British people would have enormous trouble attempting the same undertaking. We are victims of our own success.
Sent by: Bob
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Well, I can see what you mean by this, but Europeans would probably have big problems trying to express themselves in any language in Europe. English is only one of the European languages. So if you learned to express yourselves in one other language in Europe, it would be a tie :P
You're right, Richard. What you call laziness I call ignorance. And of course you do need to learn other languages at least to develop a respect for other cultures, which some British lack due to Europeans tolerant behaviour towards English.
Richard, was it not English settlers who settled in America and were under the British rule not so long ago. Without England the English-speaking America would not exist. Also America was quite isolated for a long time, not until recently has this changed, so with that fact it couldn't possibly have been America's business success that made English a global language. That was done a long time ago. About the same time America was founded I think.
Please remember, Richard, that English has become the global language not because of America which has only become a world power since the end of the world wars but because of the British Empire, which ruled a third of the world one time. Idon't think it was Disney that did this, nor even America yet!
Please remember, Richard, that America exists because of Britain. (I am a proud native of the U.S.)
Please remember that English is the global language because of American, not British, influence.
I'm sorry Richard, you're wrong. English spread with the growth of the British Empire.
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Richard, English is NOT the global language at all. It's popular, yes, it's a lingua franca, yes but by no means is a "global language".
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