Publication Date

4-21-2017

School

School of Education

Major

TESL--Teacher Certification

Keywords

Trajectory, Economy, Military, Academia, Literacy, Government, Speakers, Population

Disciplines

Modern Languages

Abstract

English is currently the language of diplomacy, higher education, business, science, the internet, and more. In order to understand what this means for the present state of English and its future, one must begin by looking at this language’s diachronic journey, followed by a synchronic picture of English today. In addition to statistics on English, this analysis will consider potential language competitors of Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and Hindi, among others, in displacing the English language. Compared to these prospective challengers, English has broad roots in world history, lending to its depth and growing breadth; however, not only do the diachronic implications of English carry weight in determining English’s future position but also its place at this moment in time, foreshadowing its secure outlook as the dominant global language for the years to come.

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