Text d а world language

... a Language that came from. поwhere to conquer the world ..."

The movement of English around the world began with the pioneering voyages to the Americas and Asia, continued with the 19th-century colonial developments in Africa and the South Pacific, and took a significant further step when it was adopted in the 20th century as an official or semi­official language by many newly-independent states. English is now the dominant or official language in over 60 countries, and is represented in every continent and in the three major oceans — Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific. It is this spread of representation which makes the application of the term 'world language' a reality.

The present-day world status of English is the result of two factors: the expansion of British colonial power, which peaked towards the end of the 19th century, and the emergence of the United States as the leading economic power of the 20th century.

English is the language of International air traffic control, and is currently developing its role in international maritime, policing, and emergency services.

English is the chief language of international business and academic conferences, and the leading language of International tourism.

English is the main language of popular music, advertising, satellite broadcasting, home computers, and video games.

Most of the scientific, technological, and academic information in the world is expressed in English, and over 80 per cent of all the information stored in electronic retrieval systems is in English.

Vocabulary

development- развитие

take a significant further step- сделать важный шаг в чем-либо

official language- официальный, государственный язык

semi­official language- неофициальный, полуофициальный язык; официозный

spread- распространяться

expansion- распространение ; рост, развитие

emergence- выход; появление

broadcasting- радиовещание, трансляция; радиопередача

advertising- рекламная деятельность, рекламный бизнес

retrieval- возврат, возвращение; восстановление

Exercise 1. Answer the questions.

1. When and how did the movement of English around the world begin?

2. What factors are the results of the present-day world status of English?

3. Is English connected with policy, business, tourism, computer?

4. Is it true that most of the information in the world is expressed in English?

Prove your answer.

6. English is now the dominant or official language in over 60 countries , is not it?

Exercise 2. True or false.

1. The movement of English around the world began in the 21 century.

2. English is now the dominant or official language in over 60 countries.

3. English is not the chief language of international business and academic conferences, and the leading language of International tourism.

4. French is the main language of popular music, advertising, satellite broadcasting, home computers, and video games.

5. Most of the scientific, technological, and academic information in the world is expressed in German.

Exercise 3. Fill in the gaps with articles, definite or indefinite, if it’s necessary.

English is … national language in such countries as … Great Britain , … United States of America, … Canada, … Australia and … New Zealand. It is … mother tongue of nearly three hundred million people. Many people speak … English language in … Japan , … China, … India and … African countries. But many more use it as … international means of communication, because English has become … truly international language.

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences from the text.

1. …when it was adopted in the 20th century as an official or semi­official language by many newly-independent states.

2. English is now the…

3. …and the emergence of the United States as …………………….20th century.

4. English is the language of….

5. …and the leading language of International tourism.

6. English is the main language of popular music…

Exercise 5. Translate from English into Russian.

1. England's history helps to understand the present condition of English. Many English words were borrowed from the language of Angles and Saxons.

2. The names of pop groups, computers software, and magazines are often written in English.

3. English has become a world language because of its establishment as a mother tongue outside England.

4. English is studied as a foreign language at secondary and higher schools of our country.

5. Foreign languages are of great importance in our modern life.

6. English is the most widespread language on earth.

Тема: Страны изучаемого языка