Eng 501 L-4

Lesson 4
INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE
How did Dr. Johnson defines English in his dictionary?

Dr. Johnson defined English as "Belonging to England; thence (from that time)
English is the language of England."
How has the definition of English changed since Johnson's time?
In today's world, English is more than just the language of England; it has
spread globally.
How do modern dictionaries extend Johnson's definition of English?
Modern dictionaries emphasize its global scope, describing it as a
language spoken in various parts of the world
How did Dr. Johnson define the term 'English' in his dictionary, and how
has English evolved since then?
Dr. Johnson defined 'English' as belonging to England and being the
language of England. However, English has evolved beyond this definition
over the centuries and has become a global language used by various
communities worldwide
What is a growing perception about English?:
A growing perception is that English is now the world's lingua franca used
for global communication.
Who are the original speakers of English, and who speaks it now?
The original speakers were English people, but now it's spoken in many
parts of the world by diverse communities.
How does language shape identity?
Language, including dialects and variations like American English or
Australian English, influences both personal and societal identities.
Who were the original speakers of English, and how has its speakership
evolved over time?
The original speakers of English were the inhabitants of England. However,
English is now spoken by people across the world, making it a global
phenomenon that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
What concept is emerging regarding English being a lingua franca, and
what does it mean for its ownership and usage?
The concept of English as a global lingua franca implies that it serves as a
common communication tool for individuals worldwide who don't share a
mother tongue but live in a globalized society. This shifts the ownership of
English from a specific group to a language used by diverse communities
for international communication.
How does language shape identity, and how can English dialects influence
social standing and identity?
Language and dialects, such as American or Australian English, shape who
we are and how others see our social class and background. The way we
speak can show our social status, and different dialects help form our
identities.
How many native speakers does English have approximately?
English has an estimated 350-400 million native speakers.
What is the estimated number of people who can understand English?
Approximately 1½-2 billion people, about a quarter of the world's
population, can understand English.
Which languages compete with English in terms of native speakers?
Mandarin Chinese, English, and Spanish each have around 330-350 million
native speakers.
What is the current status of English as a mother tongue, and how does it
compare to its usage as a common language among non-native speakers?
English ranks as the second or third most spoken mother tongue globally,
with around 350-400 million native speakers. Additionally, it serves as a
common language for non-English speakers, with an estimated 1½-2 billion
people capable of understanding it.
Which languages have comparable numbers of native speakers to English,
and how does English's popularity as a foreign language compare to other
languages?
Mandarin Chinese, with approximately 800-850 million native speakers,
rivals English in terms of native speakers. However, both English and
Spanish have around 330-350 million native speakers each. English's
popularity as a foreign language is evidenced by over 700 million people
who learn it as a second language.
What makes English rich in vocabulary compared to other languages?
English is arguably the richest in vocabulary, with about 500,000 words
listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.
What is the significance of English in global communication?
English is used widely around the world for technical writing, storing
information, and broadcasting.
How does English relate to various forms of media and communication?
English is the language for a significant portion of mail, telexes, cables,
technical periodicals, and broadcasting companies worldwide.
How extensive is the use of the English vocabulary as a mother tongue,
and what distinguishes English's vocabulary richness?
Over 400 million people use English as a mother tongue, surpassed in
numbers only by Chinese dialects. English boasts a vast vocabulary,
possibly the richest among world languages, with around 500,000 words
listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.
How does English dominate various aspects of global communication and
information sharing?
English plays a central role in global communication: three-quarters of mail,
telexes, and cables are in English. More than half of scientific periodicals
and the world's technical content are in English. The language is crucial in
navigation, aviation, broadcasting, and computer storage.
Why was English widely known in Pakistan during British rule?
English was the main language of administration and education under
British control in the region.
How did English's neutrality impact its status in Pakistan?
English, not associated with ethno nationalist or religious movements, was
considered neutral and favored by the post-independence government for
unification.
What language policies were pursued in postcolonial Pakistan?
Policies alternated between promoting local languages and promoting
English, with a significant shift during General Zia-ul-Haq's rule.During
British rule, English served as the main language of administration and
formal education. Post-independence, retaining English was useful for
unifying the newly established Pakistan, as it was ideologically neutral
compared to regional languages associated with ethnonationalist and
religious movements.
During British rule, English was the main language for government and
education. After independence, Pakistan continued using English because
it didn't favor any particular ethnic or religious group, helping to unify the
country. However, policies have switched back and forth between
encouraging local languages and promoting English, especially during
General Zia-ul-Haq's time in power.
What were the conflicting views about English's role in Pakistan's identity,
and how did governments respond?
While English was favored by the post-independence government for
unification, religious parties opposed it, seeing it as a symbol of continued
colonization. Successive governments attempted to develop other
languages, particularly Urdu, but English remained a part of Pakistan's
language policy.

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Lesson 4

INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE

How did Dr. Johnson defines English in his dictionary?

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