English is the world's top tongue.
English is a world language. At present no other language on earth is better
suited to play the role of a word language. Language surrounds us like a sea.
English is the language of progressive science and technology, trade and
cultural relations, commerce and business. It is the universal language of
international aviation, shipping and sports. It is also the major language of
diplomacy. English is the international language of business people, pilots and
air traffic controllers, politicians, doctors and students. Beyond a doubt,
English is now the world's top language.
English is spoken by more than 350 million people. Geographically, it is
the most widespread language on earth, second only to Chinese in the number
of people who speak it.
English is so widespread that it has become the standard language for all
kinds of international communication. At present 75% of the world's mail is in
English, 60% of the world's telephone calls are made in English, 60% of the
world's radio stations broadcast in English and more than half of the world's
periodicals are printed in English.
It is the official language of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, of the United States of America, of Australia and New
Zealand. English is used as one of the official languages in Canada, the
Republic of South Africa and the Irish Republic. It has become a means of
communication within some countries where different groups of people speak
different languages. For example, in India there are 15 official languages and
thousands of dialects. People from different parts of the country often do not
speak each other's language. English is the only solution to their
communication problems. The number of second-language speakers may soon
exceed the number of native speakers.
Besides, millions of people study and use English as a foreign language.
In our country English is very popular. It is the chief foreign language learned
at school, it is also studied at colleges and universities.
Learning a foreign language is not an easy thing. It is a long and slow
process that takes a lot of time and patience. If you want to master a foreign
language, you must be ready to make efforts. But to know English today is
absolutely necessary for every educated person, for every good specialist.