THE RISE OF ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LANGUAGE
THE RISE OF ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LANGUAGE

Summary/Abstract: This article aims to provide a brief glimpse at how English has become the global phenomenon it is today, taking into account historic developments and cultural aspects. It analyses the underlying factors in the evolution of English as the most spoken language in the world, and the privileged position it has enjoyed through the spread of the British Empire, and, later, due to the Industrial Revolution. Culminating factors, which have helped maintain its position, are recent technological developments and political factors in the aftermath of The Second World War. There is also a brief analysis on resistance to English, illustrated by the French language.

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