English Class 11 Chapter 6 Notes Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

English as a World Language

• Global Usage:
  • English is the most widely used language globally, although it does not have the largest number of native speakers (Chinese holds that distinction).
  • English is spoken across a much larger geographical area than Chinese.
  • There is hardly any country in the world where English is not used in some form, whether as a mother tongue, second language, or foreign language.
• Categories of English Usage:
  • Mother Tongue or First Language (L1):
    • Countries: United Kingdom (UK), United States (USA), Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa.
    • These countries are collectively referred to as “mother tongue countries.”
  • Second Language (L2):
    • Countries: Many Asian and African countries, including India, Singapore, Malaysia, Nigeria, Namibia, Botswana.
    • In these countries, English is recognized as the second official language.
  • Foreign Language (FL):
    • Countries: Non-English-speaking countries where English is widely studied and used, such as China, Japan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Eritrea, France, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Brazil.
• Global Significance of English:
  • English is a language that belongs to the whole world with a significant literary tradition.
  • It is the language of science, technology, and is widely used in learning and communication.
  • While other languages may excel in certain fields, English has a broader application across multiple disciplines and fields.
• English as a Language of Global Importance:
  • Recognized as the language of:
    • International trade and commerce
    • Academic and scientific writing
    • Airports and traffic control
    • Diplomacy
    • International sports meets
  • English is often described as ‘a window to the world.