Technological advances are breaking the barriers of space and time between territories. The world now becomes an interconnected system that requires a shared means of communication – a global lingua francas. The most utilized modern example of lingua franca is English, the current dominant lingua franca of international diplomacy, business, science, technology, and aviation. – Wikipedia.

Current Statista research suggests that the English language is now spoken by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. Nevertheless, 75% of them are non-native. 

What makes English the catch-all language that everyone wants to be fluent in? How did it spread to large areas of the world? The answer lies not just in the history of this language but culture, politics, and technology.

British Empire Colonized Roughly A Quarter Of The Planet

The most apparent reason English has become so powerful and widespread in the first place is the British Empire. Before the First World War and British colonization, about seven million people who spoke English were living in the British Isles. 

In most British Empires, like Asia and Africa, the main goal was trading, so only a few Britons actually settled. That’s why English did not dominate these countries, where it was used for business, administration, and education, but not the people’s language.

In countries where large settler colonies were formed, such as Australia, Canada, and the USA, English became these lands’ semi-official and official language, pushing the native languages and cultures to near extinction.

The Rise Of The United States

After two World Wars, the American economy boomed. English continued to spread across the world via trading and businesses. The birth of rock n’ roll, jazz, and other popular music genres from the USA and UK made English the language of entertainment for the masses. Hollywood movie

s are viewed worldwide, naturally introducing the language to global audiences. 

It Is Related To Many Other Native Languages 

With a long history of traveling the world through wars, invasions, and cultural influences, English bears elements of various languages. A major portion of the English vocabulary stems from Romance and Latinate sources.

The Language Of Science And Technology

English is undoubtedly the language of technology and scientific knowledge. Since numerous computer programs and software were created and written by American and British scientists, English soon became the universal form of communication in science. Computer scientists nowadays have no choice but to learn and use English since many of the leading scientific papers on current topics, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, are written in English. 

English Is Easy To Learn  

Language learners find English relatively easy to learn as it has no cases, no gender, and a simple grammar system. It is thought to be less complicated than the Chinese or German as it’s shorter and has fewer regulations. 

English Is Flexible 

One of English’s best characteristics is its flexibility, thanks to its extensive vocabulary. There are seemingly more than 750,000 words, and new ones are added daily. With its multicultural nature, English does not discriminate, and speakers can use it in whatever way they want. Singaporeans have taken this concept to heart, inventing a new English called “Singlish” which has absorbed facets of other languages, such as Chinese and Malay. 

The Language Of International Trade 

Many multinational companies are mandating English as the corporate language to facilitate communication and performance. It has become the dominant business language, and people must learn to speak it to enter the global workforce. 

The Snowball Effect

English is widespread in every corner of the world, from the internet to schools and the business world. In order to survive in this interconnected world, adults are taking private classes, trying to be fluent in English to communicate more efficiently. Children are being taught the language from an early age so they can blend right into this globalization era where English is the primary communicating means. 

In gist, it’s safe to say that English has become the most influential language in the modern world. Suppose English-speaking countries like USA and UK continue to maintain their influence; it’s hard to see English ever losing its place as a dominant global language anytime soon.