| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | The '''English language''' (originating in [[England]]) is the predominant language of the [[United States of America|United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]] as well as other former members of the [[British Empire]]. Due to the enormous economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the these nations, English functions as the world's major international language. | + | The '''English language''' (originating in [[England]]) is the predominant language of the [[United States of America|United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]]<ref> http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855611.html </ref> as well as other former members of the [[British Empire]]. Due to the enormous economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the these nations, English functions as the world's major international language. |
| | | | |
| | ==History and Development== | | ==History and Development== |
| Line 7: |
Line 7: |
| | Scholars typically identify several key factors in the development of the language in regards to the insurgence of non-native terminology. These times include the influence of French, mentioned above, the commerce England had with Spain, introducing Spanish to the language, and the effect of the [[Renaissance]] and [[Enlightenment]] period, which brought Latin and Greek based words to the language. Based on the history of the English language, it is sometimes compared to a common [[Creole]] language due to the many factors that have helped it develop over hundreds of years. | | Scholars typically identify several key factors in the development of the language in regards to the insurgence of non-native terminology. These times include the influence of French, mentioned above, the commerce England had with Spain, introducing Spanish to the language, and the effect of the [[Renaissance]] and [[Enlightenment]] period, which brought Latin and Greek based words to the language. Based on the history of the English language, it is sometimes compared to a common [[Creole]] language due to the many factors that have helped it develop over hundreds of years. |
| | | | |
| − | After World War II, the rise of the United States as a world superpower led to English replacing French as the Lingua-Franca, becoming the world's most used language for diplomacy, commerce, science, and so forth. Because of this, English is considered the world's most important international language by many. | + | After World War II, the rise of the United States as a world superpower led to English replacing French as the Lingua-Franca, becoming the world's most used language for diplomacy, commerce, science, and so forth. Because of this, English is considered the world's most important international language by many.<ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4080401.stm </ref> |
| | | | |
| | ==Spelling== | | ==Spelling== |
| Line 16: |
Line 16: |
| | ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| | * [[Official English]] | | * [[Official English]] |
| | + | |
| | + | ==References== |
| | + | <references/> |
| | | | |
| | [[Category:English language| ]] | | [[Category:English language| ]] |
| | [[Category:United Kingdom]] | | [[Category:United Kingdom]] |