Writing Challenge #8: English Mania (NEW quiz and challenge)

NEW: Take the English Mania Quiz.
Update: I have now added an advanced challenge in the comment section. Find it on page 5 of the comments. (Don't look ahead until you try it. Answers on page 6.)

On Twitter today I came across a link to a speech titled "English Mania". In his speech, Jay Walker poses this question:

"Is English a tsunami washing away other languages?"This month, let's practise expressing our opinion. Since you are all learners or teachers of English I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on the question above. If you have time, please watch the video below first.In your response try to:1) State your opinion2) Give reasons and examples for your opinion3) Conclude or summarize your opinion*Please come back often to read and comment on the opinions.Stating your opinion:In my opinionIf you ask meTo be honestTo start...I agree thatI disagree thatFrom my perspectiveIn my country/culture/familyI firmly believeStating reasonsThe reason whyMy beliefMy feeling is thatFirst of allGiving more reasons and examplesFurthermore...In addition...Another reason...Likewise...Second of allConclude or summarize your opinion:In conclusionAs a resultAs mentionedAs I said (suitable for speaking)In the endAll in allOther useful expressions when expressing opinion:to be honestwithout a doubtmerelyin some casesit's conceivable thaton the other handcontrary to

Image Source: Creative Commons Flikr user watch4u

If you fully understand why English is so popular, then you know why you make an effort to learn English.

No doubt the overwhelming influence of the U.S. is one of the reasons for the popularity - American movies, newspapers, radios, speeches by some famous Americans etc. No wonder more learners prefer AmE to BrE (British English). Other English-speaking countries, such as Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, contribute to the popularity as well.

But we also got other popular languages - Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French etc. And the dialects add to the varieties of language. A southerner may probably not understand what a northerner is speaking, even they live in the same country. I realize people tend to speak their own dialect. You may ask why not speak a common language instead?

I'd say English and other languages will coexist, and the all kinds of dialects may be spoken as well. Have you got your own dialect(s)? Can you still speak the dialect?

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Comments

Expector Smith June 12, 2009 0:36

If you fully understand why English is so popular, then you know why you make an effort to learn English.

No doubt the overwhelming influence of the U.S. is one of the reasons for the popularity - American movies, newspapers, radios, speeches by some famous Americans etc. No wonder more learners prefer AmE to BrE (British English). Other English-speaking countries, such as Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, contribute to the popularity as well.

But we also got other popular languages - Spanish, Chinese, Russian, French etc. And the dialects add to the varieties of language. A southerner may probably not understand what a northerner is speaking, even they live in the same country. I realize people tend to speak their own dialect. You may ask why not speak a common language instead?

I'd say English and other languages will coexist, and the all kinds of dialects may be spoken as well. Have you got your own dialect(s)? Can you still speak the dialect?
Expector Smith June 11, 2009 0:36

Here comes another question: Why English is so popular or what makes English the most used language in the globe?

First, the British brought the English language to the then 'New Continent', America. The Americans speak English. The U.S. is so big a power and it's influence is overwhelming. So, the English language is getting so popular in the world. Imagine, if the Americans didn't speak English, if they spoke French or any other language, then is English so popular now?

Second, we may really need a common language to facilitate the communication with people from around the world. You may want to learn more, get ahead, get a good job, a promotion, live a decent life etc.

.
Joyce Fettermann June 10, 2009 4:17

Like Nafis said very well, English does not sweep other languages, because people preserve them in their culture. On the other hand, it is becaming the most spoken language in the world and there is not a way to neglect this fact. Here in Brazil, for example, English is everywhere: in shopping malls, supermarkets, at home (in many product names) and so on. Internet, TV and all kinds of informations resources take this idiom ahead and in my point of view this is positive, once it is uniting people around the world. It is terrific!
Tara Benwell June 9, 2009 19:06

Alba, nice writing! Thanks for sharing your opinion here. I love MyEC because it allows us to do just what you said: "share experiences as human beings". This would be difficult to do without a common language. I'm thankful for all of you who work so hard to communicate with native English speakers. :)
Tara Benwell June 9, 2009 3:42

Anna,
Wow, what an excellent response. I hope all of the readers and contributors in this month's challenge will learn from your writing sample. Take note of Anna's use of expressive language as well as her clear transitions:
If you ask me...
I for one...
I'll second...(a form of agreeing with another person's opinion)
Let's take ....for example...
Clearly...
In conclusion...

Thanks Anna!
Anna June 8, 2009 20:38

If you ask me, i think that English is becoming more and more popular not only as the language of solving the problems, but as the main means of comunication. I, for one, have lots of friends from other countries and English helps us to keep in touch. I'll second that the world is pulling it. The reason is that it really gives a good opportunity to improve the life, to achieve some goals, to realize our full potential in a word. Let's take ukrainians for example. The life here is far from perfect and it's not a secret that a lot of ukrainian physicians, doctors, engineers and people of other professions went for good to the USA or Europe. Clearly, English is crucial for them.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that English is a marvellous language and with more learners it will only add to its development.
Tara Benwell June 7, 2009 16:51

I am enjoying your opinions so much. The writing here is fabulous. Please tell me more...
sara bennani June 5, 2009 15:39

I agree, English is the most used language in the world and also it's the most beautiful language, it becomes the most useful language to learn for international travel and language of diplomacy. without language we can not communicate with people from different contries and since many people are using english so it's impotant to learn it .
to conclude i believe that english is the most spoken language around the world .
Shin June 5, 2009 2:27

English is now becoming everybody's tongue.

All nations will soon adapt English to be their second language. May their people want it, or not, they will have to learn and LOVE it if they desire to be a part of the growing world.

I believe it is now a necessity.
Expector Smith June 5, 2009 1:09

Here's my two cents worth:

English isn't a tsunami. 'Tsunami' is a negative word, isn't it? It may seem overwhelming, but definitely not destructive.

No doubt that English is now everywhere and is getting more and more popular - probably the most popular language in the world. People in a non-English speaking country may need to use, or even love it. But they may also want to keep using their own language, and especially in their own dialect. People in Hong Kong can speak or understand English, Mandarine, but most often they speak their dialect. Dialect is everywhere too, even in English-speaking nations. I must say the dialect is hard to understand. Then why they'd like to speak dialect? Why not speak a common language instead?

In conclusion, English may be the most used, popular language in the globe, but some other languages will coexist.

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