摘要:It is known that the development of a language is a step-by-step procedure. In this regard, causes cannot be overlooked. Crystal said that English appeared in the right time at the right place. The spread of English across the globe is a seismic event in the species’ history. It is one of the biggest things to happen to mankind since the dawn of language.
ed. Thus English plays a major role in the development of these countries, being widely used in government, the courts, the media, and other public domains.
However, English in South Africa is very different in other parts of Africa. First of all, it is the earliest country in Africa in which English was made the official language in the 17th century. The intention of the legalization of English was to Anglicize the large Afrikaans-speaking population. Secondly, the majority of whites, including most of those in power have Afrikaans as their first language, thus the feelings of national and ethnic identity make the choice of language a complex one, intervolving with political stands and biases. Thirdly, the 1993 South Africa Constitution named eleven languages as official languages, including English and Afrikaans. This ambitious and seemingly democratic language policy brings even more complex situations of English in South Africa. In fact, English has always been the minority language in South Africa. Nevertheless, enthusiasm for English continues to grow among the black population and more white authorities begin to realize the importance of English in international communication and become bilingual with fluent British-based variety of English.
IV. The Functional Causes of English as a Global Language in Different Fields
In today’s knowledge-based society, English is used as a basic tool by all over the world. Among this society, some primary elements cannot be ignored, for instance,
Politics, economy, culture, and the like which are all undoubtedly indispensable parts of our society. While multi-functions which English relating to these aspects have brought about the global use of English.
4.1 English in Politics
Politics, as some politician states, is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. Specifically speaking, it is a platform for people to share thoughts. As English enjoys a majority of users, it becomes an instrument for expressing political thoughts.
In a scope of politics, it is clear that the prosperity of a language must ultimately have political causes. However, it is not due simply to the good impact of this or that individual politician or statesman to some extent. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely. Two things can always complement each other and bring about the best mutually. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes beautiful and accurate since people’s thoughts are refined and advanced, and the global language—English, make it easier for us to have our original thoughts.
In our time it is broadly true that political writing or speech is influential, and always represents some forward-looking political ideas. Some familiar English words or phrases—bestial, iron heel, tyranny—always reflect the classical thoughts of the frontiers. Furthermore, more instances which can be taken such as a not unjustifiable assumption, leaves much to be desired, would serve no good purpose, a consideration which we should do well to bear in mind, are a continuous temptation, a packet of aspirins always at one’s elbow. From all have been mentioned above, it is obvious that some English figures of speech are used in these phrases. These may
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