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English language

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Rebbeca:
We know the fact that language is the source of communication. There is no nation without the language and even diversity of language within a nation and small community. As per the religious dogma of Bible people of all over the world used to speak same language. How far is it possible? Whatsoever all the countries, tribes and ethnic groups have their own language. In the course of time English language has become a common scientific language. There is history of English language, Angle, Saxon and Jute were invaders they invaded Britain during the six or seven century and settled in England. It is the Angle the word English came from this name. In this present world the language has expanded its horizon in all over the world.

Heimdallr:
Welcome to the forum Rebecca.  :)  We encourage new members to post a brief intro in our Newbies section. 

Galahad:
Hi Rebecca. I am not certain what point you are trying to make. Yes, English is the language of science, and also of business. Do you think this is a good thing, a bad thing, or a neutral thing?

Robin Turner:
Hello,


--- Quote from: Galahad ---I am not certain what point you are trying to make. Yes, English is the language of science, and also of business. Do you think this is a good thing, a bad thing, or a neutral thing?
--- End quote ---

I agree with Galahad about the ambiguity of Rebecca's point, I can't be sure about what she was trying to say, but it looked like Rebecca was presenting some items about the English language for our consideration.

Just to add to the above, I think there is a lot of ground to suggest that English is more than "the language of science and business", and is in fact quickly becoming, or basically already is, an international language.

English as an international language might well become the standard basis of communication that anybody, whatever their native tongue, will be able to use. However, since the widespread demand to learn English, on an international level, seems to have a lot to do with the balance of power resting in America's hands, I wonder if the demand is going to deminish along with American decline and fall. 

I guess the development of languages is as variable as how our future proceeds...

spyraal:
Hello,

I think what matters most is for our languages to have as a wealthy vocabulary as possible and for us to have a proper education, since a lack in words can equal a lack in thoughts.  Much like George Orwell's "Newspeak" in his novel 1984:


--- Quote from: wikipedia ---In the novel by Orwell, it is described [Newspeak] as being "the only language in the world whose vocabulary gets smaller every year". Orwell included an essay about it in the form of an appendix[2]  in which the basic principles of the language are explained. Newspeak is closely based on English but has a greatly reduced and simplified vocabulary  and grammar. This suits the totalitarian regime of the Party, whose aim is to make any alternative thinking—"thoughtcrime", or "crimethink" in the newest edition of Newspeak—impossible by removing any words or possible constructs which describe the ideas of freedom, rebellion and so on. One character, Syme, says admiringly of the shrinking volume of the new dictionary: "It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words."

--- End quote ---

So maybe giving titles like "the language of science and business" for English (or any language for that reason) is becoming of less significance when our everyday use of words-thoughts is becoming simpler and simpler, with all of the unfortunate consequences this may have in limiting our potential to seek and understand higher and more complex principals, thoughts and ideas...  :rolleyes:

I was talking once with an American guy who was studying history here in Greece, and our conversation at some point came to the same topic, the one of languages. I couldn't keep myself from a friendly laughter when this otherwise smart and seemingly educated person was trying to convince me that the English language is very rich by giving me as an example the word "dude" which according to him "depending on the pronunciation can have like 8 different meanings"! He could not see the paradox of using a meaningless slang word like "dude" for so many occasions, instead of striving in general to have an array of different words to accurately express the subtlety of each specific meaning we want to enunciate. He could not see that, in a way, 8 other words "started to die" for "dude" to replace them...

Anyway, at the moment, and perhaps more than ever before, a rich and accurate language is a much needed tool for understanding and objectivity. There is wonderful literature and ideas expressed in the English language. But i am afraid that while English is becoming a global language, it's future or the so-called "International English",  has the potential to become what George Orwell dreamed in his book: A language to facilitate the necessary minimal communication between a global crowd of uneducated and subservient people. A horrific thought indeed...
Just my 2cc FWIW. Thank you.
 :)

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