Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

British Council Serbia

702K views 12 years ago

Warm-up Questions

What makes a language become “global” in the first place?
Do you think English will still be the global language in 100 years? Why or why not?
Which other languages might become more important internationally in the future?

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David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

Why predicting language futures is difficult (and why English became global) (00:00 – 04:48)

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1. Why does the speaker say asking about the future of language can lead to “madness”?

Because it is impossible to predict how society and power will change.
Because language changes are always planned by governments.
Because Latin is still the most widely used language in schools.
Because technology will stop people from speaking at all.

2. According to the speaker, what is the main reason a language becomes global?

It is taught in the best universities.
It has the simplest grammar.
It is spoken by the most powerful people.
It is the oldest written language.

3. Which factor does the speaker mention as helping English spread in the 20th century?

A global law requiring English
Religious power (e.g., churches requiring English)
Agricultural power (e.g., farming technology)
Cultural power (e.g., pop songs, advertising, media)

David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

What kind of English will be global? American influence vs. new identities (04:48 – 11:17)

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1. Why does the speaker say the world “needs a global language”?

Because children learn languages faster than adults.
Because countries want to communicate through institutions like the UN.
Because people want to replace local languages.
Because the internet only works in one language.

2. Which example does the speaker give of American English influencing British English spelling?

programme → program
colour → color
centre → center
encyclopaedia → encyclopedia

3. What grammar example does the speaker give as typical in Indian English?

Always using passive voice
Never using the past tense
Using the continuous form with verbs like “know” (e.g., “I am knowing”)
Using double negatives frequently

David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

Mixing varieties and adapting accents (how many “englishes” do you speak?) (11:17 – 13:51)

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1. What term does the speaker use for a mixed English used internationally that is not linked to one culture?

Lingua franka English
Pure English
Standard Empire English
Queen’s English

2. What happens to the speaker’s English when he goes back to Wales and talks locally?

He avoids all Welsh influence to sound formal.
He switches completely to Latin.
He uses only American pronunciation.
Welsh words and a stronger Welsh accent may slip into his conversation.

3. In the speaker’s explanation, what does it mean to “accommodate” in conversation?

To translate every sentence word-for-word
To speak more loudly to be understood
To pick up features of another person’s accent or dialect, especially when getting on well
To book a hotel for visitors

David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

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1. What is the central idea of the talk?

The UN will choose one “correct” English for everyone.
Grammar rules determine which language becomes global.
A global language depends on social and political power, so the future of English is uncertain.
English will definitely disappear soon.

2. Which best describes the speaker’s view of English in the short-term future?

English will become identical in every country.
It will quickly be replaced by Chinese.
English will stop being used on the internet.
There will be no change; English will remain global for now.

3. Which future for English does the speaker consider likely?

A mixture (an amalgam) influenced by many varieties worldwide
One fixed standard English controlled by Britain
Two separate global languages with no overlap
A complete return to Latin as the global language

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

David Crystal – Will English Always Be the Global Language?

Do you agree that “power always drives language”? Can you think of examples that support or challenge this idea?
Which English variety do you hear most often (American, British, or others), and how does it influence your own English?
Is it a good thing if English becomes a global “amalgam” (a mixed lingua franca), or is it better to keep clear standards? Why?
How do you feel about changing grammar in advertising (e.g., “I’m loving it”)? Should schools accept these changes?