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English as an International Language
English is likely the only Indo-European language that is widely spoken as an L1 (mother tongue), SL/FL (second/foreign language), or as an official language. There are 377000000 lac (or lakh) native speakers of the language. Nearly 375000000 lac people speak it as a second language worldwide. The number of people who speak English as a second language is predicted to soon surpass (or has already surpassed) that of those who speak it as their first or native language. It is a language that 750000000 lac people speak as a second language. Over 75 nations with a population of over 2 billion people still recognise English as an official or special language (200 crore).
The dominance of English in the globe is a well-known reality nowadays. It is utilised in online learning, higher education, science, travel, and international communication. In this language, 70% of all information is delivered and kept electronically. It is a well-known truth that the expansion of English was responsible for American capitalism and technological advancement.
English has become more significant in the globalised marketplace.
English has become more significant on a worldwide scale as marketplaces for international goods have opened up. India is familiar with American brands like Coco-Cola, Kellogg’s, and other things. English is used more and more often in daily life as a result of the abundance of foreign goods in Indian markets with English-written brand names and ingredient lists. People worry that this pattern will persist in the twenty-first century. However, social and geopolitical forces will determine the destiny of English.
It’s also critical to recognise that native languages are becoming a powerful influence in India and many other multilingual communities. People are now too aware of the value of their native tongues in both their political and social lives. But it remains to be seen if they will be successful in eliminating English. Right now, English continues to enjoy favourable circumstances. At least in academic circles, it’s kind of a wait-and-see situation.
