English: "For the World"

[Aurura]

What is the English language to the world (in general, of course)?

It has unique sound and structure; but is it beautiful? It has some Roman/Latin roots; is it romantic? It's a "universal" neccessity; but is it desired?

It's quite an irony to me, since English is my primary language but not my "native". As a matter of fact, I may never get the opportunity to learn my native language, since I don't even know what African tribal ancestry is mine, nor what ancestral speech is mine (I'm afraid I can't just say it's "Nigerian" or "Suahili" and be done with it).

When I consider it bluntly (and crudely), I feel like the worldwide-spoken English is more of a tool of common technicality alone, and nothing more.

However, if I consider the form of English spoken by Europeans, it automatically becomes an authentic language with its own set history and graceful structure.

Well, I'd like to hear what you think about this.

 

[kusojiji]

If you don't even know what your 'native' language is, then it isn't.

 

[Aurura]

Hm.. interesting point. ☝

 

[becki_kanou]

Perhaps the word you're looking for is heritage language? Your native language is the first language you learned to speak, regardless of whether it matches up with your nationality or ethnic background.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I love English.

I don't think English is just a tool, but it's certainly a pragmatic language. The thing I love about it is it's not proud. If we don't have a word for something, we're happy to beg, borrow and steal from any language in order to say what we mean. I believe that this is where the beauty of English lies; it enables us to express an idea as succinctly, accurately and precisely as we wish. If we can't do that, English will bend to fit our thoughts.

The rich heritage and continuing evolution of English has given us a language with a lot of redundancy, which I think is a wonderful thing. It's why English is the language of song and poetry. We have so many different ways to express the same idea. A poet or a scientist can invent a word if he can't find one to fit, and if enough people use it you'll find it in the dictionary within a few years.

 

[Aurura]

Wonderfully put, Tsuyoiko san!

 

[Jericho Desu]

To me english is truly an incredible language, we have a ton of variety and numerous ways to say the same thing. However I feel like unless we use like 2-3 sentences, we don't have words conveying more emotion, like with more suttleness such as some other languages including Japanese.
But english is quite something in general linguistics, but I for one can't live with knowing only english, even though its quite a "broad" language it still closes you off from alot of other things other languages can provide.

 

[grapefruit]

I don't think English is just a tool, but it's certainly a pragmatic language. The thing I love about it is it's not proud. If we don't have a word for something, we're happy to beg, borrow and steal from any language in order to say what we mean. I believe that this is where the beauty of English lies; it enables us to express an idea as succinctly, accurately and precisely as we wish. If we can't do that, English will bend to fit our thoughts.
The rich heritage and continuing evolution of English has given us a language with a lot of redundancy, which I think is a wonderful thing. It's why English is the language of song and poetry. We have so many different ways to express the same idea. A poet or a scientist can invent a word if he can't find one to fit, and if enough people use it you'll find it in the dictionary within a few years.

I agree that English is not just a tool.

But, I believe many languages (almost all) in the world borrow words from other languages as English does. Also, I believe most of the world languages have lots of redundancy having many different ways to express the same idea.

 

[Aurura]

"Tool" is not neccessarily a negative term here, y'know. The use of the word is to describe (as close as possible) the way world-wide spoken English is used worldwide for open communication between nations. Though many langauages use words from others, English seems to use words from nearly *all*. That kindof makes it like a "hub" of sorts, an instrumental neccessity to further the communication lines. Thus my reason for calling it a tool, set apart from Olde English or European English and the like.

 

[Glenski]

Beautiful language. Subjective.

English as a "tool language". Depends on who won the war and became a superpower, I guess. French is used in many international contracts (as a "tool") because it is more precise. English is the lingua franca of the science world, yet many countries have yet to get on the bandwagon and globalize.

As for English being so wonderful because it adopts words from other languages, it's not the only language that does that.

 

[Aurura]

As I said before:

Though many langauages use words from others,...

Yes, agreed... English is not the only one.

 

[grapefruit]

Though many langauages use words from others, English seems to use words from nearly *all*. That kindof makes it like a "hub" of sorts, an instrumental neccessity to further the communication lines.

I think this is a reflection of ethnocentrism. Those who advocate this in mass media must be monolingual speakers of English.

 

[Aurura]

"ethnocentrism -the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture."

Woah. I didn't realize it sounded like that.
I have no idea how superior English is or is not, myself.

 

[grapefruit]

I think it is natural for any person to hold some sort of ethnocentric views, though. Japan has tons of its version of ethnocentric belief regarding the Japanese language.

 

[Clawn]

I love the English language because it can be utilized on so many levels. It can be utterly simple and boring, and it can also be eloquent and sophisticated-all while conveying the same idea. I didn't run home, perhaps I jogged, or trotted, or maybe even loped. However, at the same time English is broad enough that general terms can be used so that even beginners can at least understand what is being said.

Another point that I find to be fascinating is the shear amount of adjectives. We have adjectives that mean nearly the same exact thing, but yet have subtle differences that can change the tone of a sentence in minute, yet noticeable ways.

Of course, I'm not terribly well acquainted with so many other languages that I can say that they do not have these qualities.