English language – Historical background

The English language has been associated with migration since its first origins. The language came into being in the 5th century with patterns of people movement and resettlement. This language was a humble beginning as a native language by the Anglo-Saxons around 10th century. However, as a world language its history began in the 17th century and the historical expansion of British Empire and political and philosophical coverage of English culture have resulted in making this language a medium of international interaction.

In the new century, there are now over 205 states represented in the UN. The 20th century process of decolonisation created a force to establish new national languages. New words and ways of writing in English were developed. The language has continued to adapt itself swiftly to new circumstances and people. English has always been an evolving language and language contact has been an important force of change. A hybrid and flexible variety of English language came into existence such as Indian English, Singaporean English, African English and many more.

Who speaks English?

By the end of the 20th century, Britain had established the pre-conditions for English as a global language. Communities of English speakers were settled around the world. The position of English in the world today is thus the joint outcome of Britain’s colonial expansion and the more recent the rise of the superpower USA. According to the Crystal, 85% of international organisations now use English as one of their working language. English is used almost exclusively in publications, meeting, magazines, medium of conference, and journals. English is now the international currency of science and technology.

There are three types of English speaker in the world today. First language speakers (L1) are those whose first langue is English. Second language (L2) speakers have English as a second or additional language. The third group of English speakers are the growing number of people learning English as a foreign language (EFL). According to Braj B. Kachru, the spread of English may be viewed in terms of three circles representing the types of spread, the patterns of acquisition and the functional domains in which English is used across cultures and languages.




(Figure-1) English language speakers in the world, according to Kachru.





There is much evidence that because of the globalisation, world economy, population, technology, cultural flows, the position of English is changed. Advances in technology in the 20th century helped ‘kick start’ the long wave of economic growth, which is, yet to reach some part of the world. Technological change transforms the spaces in which we work and live. It is the trend, which will shape the demand for the English in the future, but they interact in complex ways and may produce unexpected cultural and political outcomes.