USING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
LESSON 1: ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LANGUAGE
The English language is considered a global language due to its widespread use and
influence on a global scale. Several key factors contribute to English's status as a global
language:
1. **Historical Colonialism and Expansion:** During the era of British colonialism, the British
Empire established colonies and territories around the world. As a result, English was introduced
to many regions, and it became the administrative, educational, and legal language in these
areas.
2. **Economic and Political Power:** In the 20th and 21st centuries, the United States has
played a dominant role in the global economy and politics. English is the primary language of
the United States, and this influence has contributed to the global prominence of English in
business, diplomacy, and international relations.
3. **Media and Entertainment:** English-language media, including movies, television shows,
music, and literature, have a global audience. Hollywood, in particular, produces a significant
portion of the world's entertainment content, making English a common language for
international entertainment.
4. **Science and Technology:** English has become the lingua franca of science, technology,
and academia. Most scientific research papers, technical manuals, and software
documentation are published in English. As a result, professionals in these fields often need to
communicate and collaborate in English.
5. **International Business:** English is the language of international business and trade.
Companies worldwide use English as a common language for communication, contracts, and
negotiations.
6. **Travel and Tourism:** English is commonly used in the tourism industry. Travelers often find
that English is the most useful language for communication in countries where they don't speak
the local language.
7. **Education:** Many countries teach English as a second language in schools, making it a
valuable skill for students who want to access global opportunities, whether for work, travel, or
further education.
8. **Internet and Technology:** The internet is predominantly in English. Most websites,
programming languages, and software are developed in English, making English proficiency
crucial for online communication and digital literacy.
9. **Diplomacy and International Organizations:** English is one of the official languages of
various international organizations, such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union,
further cementing its role in global diplomacy.
10. **Cultural Influence:** English-language culture, including music, fashion, and pop culture,
has a significant impact on global trends and consumer behavior. English words and phrases
often find their way into other languages, influencing local dialects and vocabularies.
11. **Ease of Learning:** English is considered relatively easy to learn compared to some other
languages, partly due to its simplified grammar and widespread availability of learning
resources.
The combination of historical factors, economic power, media influence, and the
practical utility of English as a global means of communication has solidified its position as the
world's lingua franca. English facilitates international communication and interaction, making
it indispensable in various aspects of modern life, from business and education to diplomacy
and entertainment.
LESSON 2: IMPORTANCE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN THE MARITIME
PROFESSION AS PER STCW
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping
for Seafarers (STCW '78) is an international maritime treaty that establishes the minimum
training, certification, and watchkeeping standards for seafarers. The English language plays
a crucial role in the maritime profession under STCW '78 for several important reasons:
1. **Safety at Sea:** Effective communication is vital for ensuring safety at sea. The maritime
industry relies heavily on clear and unambiguous communication between crew members,
especially during critical situations like emergencies, navigation, and collision avoidance.
English serves as the international maritime language, ensuring that all seafarers can
communicate effectively in these situations.
2. **Global Operations:** The maritime profession operates on a global scale, with ships, crew
members, and port authorities from various countries and linguistic backgrounds. English
provides a common language that facilitates communication and cooperation among
multinational crews, international ports, and maritime organizations. This is essential for
seamless global operations.
3. **Navigation and Charts:** Navigational charts, publications, and documents are often in
English. Mariners need to understand and interpret these materials accurately to navigate
safely. Proficiency in English is crucial for reading and comprehending nautical charts,
weather reports, and other essential documents.
4. **Radio Communication:** English is the standardized language for maritime radio
communication, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). It ensures
that distress calls, navigational information, and safety messages can be understood by ships,
coastguards, and maritime authorities worldwide.
5. **Legal and Regulatory Compliance:** STCW '78 and other international maritime
regulations, conventions, and codes are often published in English. Seafarers must understand
and comply with these regulations to ensure vessel safety, environmental protection, and
adherence to international standards.
6. **Crew Training and Certification:** Many maritime training programs and courses are
conducted in English, and proficiency in English is often a prerequisite for obtaining maritime
certifications and licenses. Seafarers must be able to understand training materials and
assessments to advance their careers.
7. **Port Operations:** English is commonly used in port operations, including customs
clearance, cargo handling, and documentation. Seafarers and shore personnel need to
communicate effectively in English to ensure the efficient loading, unloading, and servicing of
vessels in ports worldwide.
8. **Global Trade:** The maritime industry is integral to global trade, with the majority of goods
transported by sea. English is the primary language used in international trade agreements,
shipping contracts, and bills of lading. Proficiency in English is essential for dealing with
contractual and commercial aspects of maritime trade.
In summary, the importance of the English language in the maritime profession, as
outlined in STCW '78 and observed in practice, cannot be overstated. It ensures safety,
facilitates global operations, enables effective communication among seafarers and
maritime stakeholders, and supports compliance with international regulations and standards.
Proficiency in English is a fundamental requirement for seafarers seeking successful careers in
the maritime industry.
Lesson 3: HISTORY OF ENGLISH WORDS/WORD FORMATION PROCESSES
HISTORY OF ENGLISH WORDS
The history of English words is a long and complex journey that reflects the cultural,
social, and historical evolution of the English language. English has borrowed, adapted, and
evolved words from various sources throughout its history. Here's an overview of the key periods
and influences in the development of English vocabulary:
1. **Old English (circa 450-1150 AD):**
- **Germanic Roots:** Old English, the earliest form of the English language, had its roots in
the Germanic languages of early medieval England. Many words from this period are of
Germanic origin.
- **Norse Influence:** The Viking invasions in the 8th and 9th centuries brought Old Norse
words into English. This influence can still be seen in words related to seafaring, trade, and
geography.
2. **Middle English (circa 1150-1500 AD):**
- **Norman Conquest:** In 1066, the Norman Conquest introduced Old Norman (a variety of
Old French) to England. This led to a significant infusion of French-derived words into English,
especially in areas like law, government, art, and culture.
- **Latin Influence:** Latin continued to be a source of scientific, medical, and religious
vocabulary during this period.
- **Word Evolution:** Many Old English words underwent changes in pronunciation and
spelling during the Middle English period, leading to the development of words that are more
recognizable in modern English.
3. **Early Modern English (circa 1500-1700 AD):**
- **Renaissance and Expansion:** The Renaissance period, marked by the works of William
Shakespeare and other literary figures, contributed to the expansion of English vocabulary.
New words and idiomatic expressions were coined, and English became a more versatile
language.
- **Scientific and Technical Vocabulary:** The scientific and technological advances of this
era led to the adoption of Latin and Greek terms into English to describe new discoveries and
inventions.
4. **Modern English (1700s-Present):**
- **Colonial and Global Influence:** English expanded globally through colonialism, trade,
and cultural exchange. It absorbed words from various languages, including Spanish, Dutch,
Arabic, and Indigenous languages.
- **Neologisms:** English continues to evolve with the creation of neologisms (newly coined
words) to describe concepts related to technology, pop culture, and other contemporary
developments.
- **Slang and Informal Language:** The language has also seen the development of slang,
colloquialisms, and regional dialects that reflect the diverse cultures and communities where
English is spoken.
5. **Digital Age and Globalization (late 20th century-present):**
- **Internet and Technology:** The digital age has introduced a plethora of new words and
phrases related to technology and the internet. This includes terms like "blog," "website,"
"emoji," and "Google."
- **Globalization:** English continues to evolve as a global lingua franca, incorporating words
and phrases from various languages due to international business, travel, and cultural
exchange.
Throughout its history, English has been an adaptive language, readily incorporating
words from different linguistic backgrounds and evolving to meet the needs of its speakers.
This linguistic diversity has contributed to English's richness and its status as one of the most
widely spoken languages in the world.
WORD-FORMATION PROCESSES
Word formation processes, also known as word formation or word-formation processes,
are the ways in which new words are created in a language. These processes involve
combining or altering existing words or word parts to form new words. Word formation is a
fundamental aspect of language evolution and allows languages to adapt to new concepts,
technologies, and cultural changes. Here are some common word formation processes in
English:

Borrowing – the direct use of foreign words
Foreign Source
1. Arabic
2. Australian
3. British
4. Chinese
5. French
6. Greek
7. Italian
8. Japanese
9. Russian
10. Spanish

ball + room = ballroom
sweet + heart = sweetheart
play + ground = playground
Blending/Portmanteaus – putting together of parts of two words – usually the first
part of the first word and the last part of the second word.
Examples:

laptop, text messaging, photocopier
Compounding – combines two or more words to build a new one with an entirely
new meaning.
Examples:

alcohol, algebra, candy, syrup, coffee
boomerang, corroboree
oxen, children, brethren, trim
tea, typhoon, mahjong
canapé, barbecue, fillet, gourmet
thesis, pseudo, trauma, kudos, diploma
influenza, piano, spaghetti, umbrella
geisha, bonsai
czar, soviet, cosmonaut, vodka
sala, desperado, fiesta, camino
Coinage – products of inventions in science and technology
Examples:

Loan Words
splash + surge = splurge
smoke + fog = smog
breakfast + lunch = brunch
Acronym - putting together the first letters of a series of words.
Examples:
snafu – situation normal all fouled up
scuba – self-contained underwater breathing
apparatus

Clipping/Apocopated – shortening of words for ease and breeziness of speech
Examples:

Incorporation – a word or an element in the sentence becomes part of another
word.
Examples:

butter – buttered
wallpaper – wallpapered
Affixation – forms new words by prefixing or suffixing, that is, adding syllables at
the beginning and/or end of the root word.
Examples:

advertisements = ads
examination = exam
information = info
gymnasium = gym
happy + ness = happiness
ir + regular = irregular
beauty + ful = beautiful
Eponym - a name based or derived from a person or place. This is how some
words come to be.
Examples:



bloomers – a full, loose trousers, gathered at the knee, after Amelia
Bloomer, a social reformer, who advocated such clothing.
boycott – to avoid trade or dealings with, as a protest; after Charles
Boycott, an English land agent, ostracized in 1830 for refusing to reduce
rent.
guillotine – a machine for beheading; after Joseph Guillotin, a French
physician who proposed its use in 1789 as more humane than hanging.
These word formation processes are not exclusive to English and can be found in various
forms in other languages as well. The richness and flexibility of these processes contribute to
the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its speakers
and the evolving world around them.
LESSON 5: FAMILIARIZING WITH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS/IDIOMS
An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a
figurative meaning conventionally understood by native speakers. This meaning is different
from the literal meaning of the idiom's individual elements. In other words, idioms don't mean
exactly what the words say. They have, however, a hidden meaning.
EXAMPLES:
1. At a crossroads – Needing to make an important decision
When you are at a crossroads, you are at a point in your life where you need to make a
decision. The implication is that the decision you make will have big, life-altering
consequences.
2. Bad apple – Bad person
You can use this idiom to describe someone who is not nice and maybe even criminal.
3. Barking up the wrong tree – Pursuing the wrong course
When you “bark up the wrong tree” you are pursuing the wrong solution to your problems.
4. Be closefisted – Stingy
If you are being “closefisted”, you don’t want to spend a lot of money.
5. Be cold-hearted – Uncaring
If you decide to be “cold-hearted”, you are making a deliberate decision not to care about
someone or something.
6. Be on solid ground – Confident
When you are “on solid ground”, you are confident in your position or feel that you are safe.
7. Beat around the bush – Avoid saying
When you do this, you are taking a long time to say what you really need to say. You may be
doing this because the “truth” is embarrassing or your unsure about how the listener will take
it.
8. Behind you – Supportive
When you are “behind” someone, you are saying that they have your support.
9. Born with a silver spoon in their mouth – Born wealthy
This idiomatic expression is used to describe someone who was born into a wealthy family.
10. Break the bank – Spend a lot
When you “break the bank”, you spend a lot of money on something. If something will “break
the bank”, then it’s expensive.
BASIC MARITIME JARGON
ABOARD - On or within the boat.
COMPASS - Navigation instrument, either magnetic (showing magnetic north)
or gyro (showing true north).
DEAD AHEAD - Directly ahead.
GALLEY - The kitchen area of a boat.
PROPELLER - A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw
in propelling a vessel.
MARITIME IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN COMMON USAGE
1. Abandon ship: an order given when a vessel is disabled or about to sink (give up on an
idea or project)
2. Stand by: an order to await further commands (wait)
3. Bear a hand: an order to assist in the performance of an action (help)
4. All hands on deck: an order for all crew members to assemble in an emergency (a call
for everyone available to be available to assist with an activity or event)
5. Pass down the line: relay an order (convey news or information in a series or to others)
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