English is a global language. With the rise of electronic communication,
worldwide trade and international travel, its status has far surpassed
that of a link language. English is equated with success. Wherever you go--
from the luxuriant rain-forests of Costa Rica to the untamed wilds of
Serengeti to the hodgepodge of Eastern bazaars--you're sure to find someone
who speaks English, albeit in an accent far different from yours. If nothing
else, English makes a disguised appearance in hybrids such as Franglais,
Spanglish, Hinglish, etc.
<p>
Of course, this rise in popularity of English is not without a downside.
Talk with someone for whom English is not a first language and you sense
a feeling of loss. Reactions vary greatly--from the trace of helplessness
of parents whose children can't appreciate a poem in their native language,
to lawmakers making it mandatory for a company to also have a Web site in
the language of their country before the company can do business there.
<p>
What do you think? We'd love to hear from you about this subject, whether
English is your first language or not. Join us on the 
<a href=https://wordsmith.org/board/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=weeklythemes>bulletin board</a> to discuss. Meanwhile, taste a few words from
the world's newspapers.
<p>
English as a global language will be discussed today in an <a href=/chat/>online chat</a> with
David Crystal, author of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
and other books on language. -<a href="mailto:wordsATwordsmith.org">Anu</a>