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

Hi Tara,
Thanks for your interesting blog - a fantastic topic for us to have a wonderful discussion on! Yes, it's a good idea to place the useful, idiomatic expressions in bold, which is beneficial for the learners to understand or pay attention to. And I guess it's desirable if we can explain the expressions a little more. But I cannot do so, because I can't see the 'B' at the top - I have no idea why.

Well, back to the 'tsunami' again. Most commonly used, most popular, international language, or whatever you think the English language is, it's really so cool, pervasive, or seems sort of invasive. We really need it now. We have got all kinds of English tests here - TOEFL, IELTS etc. Students here are eager to excel in such exams. At a international conference, you are also expected to speak English, if you really want to have an impressive presentation. I am not so sure when English became so popular, but we have really chosen it.

Anyway, I'd ask you if you really wish there be only one language in the world? Chances are you sometimes wish you were a native English speaker. But I am sometimes curious how they say 'hello' in other languages. I can't believe a great nation without their own languages. We are all proud of our own, and even more comfortable in our own dialect or accent. English may be a useful tool to some, but they never thought they should replace their own language with English.

What do you think? Why not join us in the discussion now?! This is a fun topic, isn't it?

Best wishes,
Expector

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Comments

Ruzan June 30, 2009 4:43

I firmly believe that today media and other sources of information try to bring up more differences in human kind than similarities. However, having one universal language puts away at least small percentage of our diffrences away and gives us the opportunity to communicate with each other regardless of country of origin, language, culture and location. The reason why I think so, is that I have been to a lot of countries; I knew for sure that no matter where I go, I can count on the fact that people would know English. And that made me feel understood and satisfied. Also, I was able to communicate my thoughts and get new friends from every corner of the globe. In my opinion, English language is not a tsunami, but on the contrary it is the facilitator of a conversation between cultures. In addition, historically England and later the U.S. have been leaders in world economy. The offical language in the above mentioned countries is English, and considering that England had a lot of colonies in Asia and Africa, it's not surprising to see a rising number of people speaking English in those geographical locations. All in all, I don't think that it is a problem to have one common language, keeping in mind the fact that people MUST love and cherish their native language.
Tara Benwell June 23, 2009 14:52

Wow! I'm very surprised to hear about the policy that math and sciences be taught in English instead of Mandarin. Thanks for sharing this with us, Zaizura. We learn so much from each other by sharing opinions. Keep them coming...
zaizura June 23, 2009 11:58

In my opinion English not wash other languages but it very important language. Why it important? because most webs, books, journals etc in English. Even though mandarin language is most widely use, but English easier (?)to learn than mandarin. In addition most scientific, technical terms in English. It become lingua franca. In my country, the government change the policy that Mathematics and science must in English. I think you can imagine how suffer I am because I not really good in English language, but the positive side is I learn hard to improve myself in this language. My conclusion is we should know at least two languages, our mother tongue and English, but if we are multilingual that better.
Tara Benwell June 22, 2009 19:47

Le thi my Uyen,
Thanks for your great response! You bring up an interesting point about "trusting English information" on the Internet. Do other members agree?
Uyen June 22, 2009 16:35

In my opinion , English is the most importaint language on the world , Because its the main language to unite people around the world together through communication . All the useful ,trust imformation upload on webs which written in english , Its the shortest way to connect our friendship and different base of culture , English helps us to open our mind by knowledge and It improves our standar of living tobe more plentiful and meaningful....
In conclusion i would like to say that , English has become the international language and keep being in that position forever...
Tara Benwell June 22, 2009 14:30

Hi Anushka! Great to see you here. It's great to hear your viewpoint as someone from Sri Lanka. I have worked with many people from Sri Lanka in the past and from my experience they are some of the nicest (not to mention hardest working) people in the world! They also seem to have a very good command of the English language. Nice to hear that efforts are being put forth to keep "Sinhala" pure. Great writing!
Ronni Bala June 18, 2009 14:24

From my perspective, Engliash Language is on its way to wash away other lanuages. The reason is because, the current communication that used in any activity is in English. If you can have your good English you will get the job easily but if not you will not have a good one. Another reason that in my country, if you would like a good job the first requirement is English Language ability. As a result, there are a lot of persons who have the English language background have the good life because they get good jobs.
Tara Benwell June 15, 2009 1:27

expectorsmith: Really? You can't see the B? That's so strange. What happens if you type html tags with b inside? Like this: <b > expector </b >

The term "need" interests me. It seems many learners feel they "need" to know English. It is no longer a hope or a dream or a goal. It is now a necessity. I've noticed that in "The Learning English Video Project". Have you all been watching it? "Tales from America" will be out in another week or so.
Expector Smith June 13, 2009 0:28

Hi Tara,
Thanks for your interesting blog - a fantastic topic for us to have a wonderful discussion on! Yes, it's a good idea to place the useful, idiomatic expressions in bold, which is beneficial for the learners to understand or pay attention to. And I guess it's desirable if we can explain the expressions a little more. But I cannot do so, because I can't see the 'B' at the top - I have no idea why.

Well, back to the 'tsunami' again. Most commonly used, most popular, international language, or whatever you think the English language is, it's really so cool, pervasive, or seems sort of invasive. We really need it now. We have got all kinds of English tests here - TOEFL, IELTS etc. Students here are eager to excel in such exams. At a international conference, you are also expected to speak English, if you really want to have an impressive presentation. I am not so sure when English became so popular, but we have really chosen it.

Anyway, I'd ask you if you really wish there be only one language in the world? Chances are you sometimes wish you were a native English speaker. But I am sometimes curious how they say 'hello' in other languages. I can't believe a great nation without their own languages. We are all proud of our own, and even more comfortable in our own dialect or accent. English may be a useful tool to some, but they never thought they should replace their own language with English.

What do you think? Why not join us in the discussion now?! This is a fun topic, isn't it?

Best wishes,
Expector
Tara Benwell June 12, 2009 14:55

BILA Awa Yah,
Thanks for sharing your opinion with all of us! It amazes me that we can have a conversation from such opposite corners of the world. And, yes, this is thanks to English. You have used many great English expressions in your writing such as winning over the world. Here is a good lesson for understanding the difference between For and Since. Instead of "commune language" you should use "common" or even "communal " language.

Wow expectorsmith! Another brilliant essay. I am very impressed with your writing! I think it was your idea that we should place useful and difficult words and expressions in bold. Please help me convince all of the writers to do this in the comments. Thanks!

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