The International Character of English: How One Language Can Bring Us Together or Tear Us Apart

Imagine a world where you can communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime. A world where you can share your ideas, feelings, and dreams with people from different countries and cultures. A world where you can learn from the wisdom and experience of others, and contribute to the common good of humanity. Sounds wonderful, right?

Well, that world already exists. And it is thanks to one language: English. English is the most international of languages. It’s spoken by more than a billion people around the world, and it is used as a lingua franca in business, science, education, entertainment, and diplomacy. It is a language that transcends borders and boundaries, and connects us with people who are different from us in many ways.

But there’s a catch. English is not a neutral or universal language. It is a language that has a history and a culture behind it. It’s a language that reflects the values and beliefs of the people who speak it. And it is a language that can also create confusion and conflict among those who don’t understand it well.

English as a Shared Language: A Common Bond Across Cultures

English is a language that has its roots in England, but it has spread far and wide across the globe. It has been influenced by many other languages and cultures along the way, and it has also influenced them in return. It is a language that has evolved and adapted to different situations and needs.

English is also a language that serves many purposes for many people. It is a language that helps us to communicate with each other in various domains and contexts. It is a language that enables us to exchange information and knowledge with others who have different expertise and perspectives. And it is a language that allows us to express ourselves creatively and artistically through literature, music, film, and other forms of media.

But English is not just a tool or a medium. It’s also a symbol and a sign of a shared culture. A culture that is based on some common values and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. A culture that is enriched by the contributions of many great thinkers and writers who have shaped our worldview and our imagination. A culture that is recognisable by some common references and expressions that we use in our everyday speech.

For example, when we say that someone is as mad as a hatter, we are referring to a character from Alice in Wonderland, a classic work of British literature that has been widely read and adapted in many English-speaking countries. When we say that someone is the salt of the earth, we are quoting from the Bible, a religious text that has influenced many aspects of English culture and language. And when we say that someone is a rolling stone, we are alluding to either a famous British rock band or an American magazine, both of which have had a significant impact on popular culture around the world.

English as a Diverse Language: A Rich Variety of Expressions and Meanings

But English is not a monolithic or homogeneous language. It is a language that has many variations and dialects within and across different regions and countries. It’s a language that reflects the diversity and uniqueness of the people who speak it. And it’s a language that can also be playful and inventive in creating new words and phrases to suit different contexts and situations.

English is also a language that can be ambiguous and confusing for those who are not familiar with its subtleties and nuances. It’s a language that can have different meanings and connotations depending on the culture and background of the speaker and the listener. And it is a language that can also cause misunderstandings and disagreements among those who don’t share the same assumptions or expectations about how to use it.

For instance, when an Australian says that they are bosssicking something out [‘searching for something’], they are using a word that comes from their history of gold mining, where people would scavenge for leftover nuggets in abandoned sites. But this word might sound strange or rude to someone from another English-speaking country, where it has no meaning or relevance. When an American says that they didn’t get to first base [‘not achieving even initial success’], they are using an expression that comes from their national sport of baseball, where players have to run from one base to another to score points. But this expression might be misunderstood or misinterpreted by someone from another English-speaking country, where it has a different meaning or implication. And when an Englishman says that something is not cricket [‘unfair’], they are using an idiom that comes from their traditional game of cricket, where players have to follow certain rules and etiquette to play fairly. But this idiom might be puzzling or irrelevant to someone from another English-speaking country, where cricket is not popular or familiar.

The International Character of English: A Challenge and an Opportunity

So what does this all mean for us as learners and users of English? It means that we have to be aware of the complexity and diversity of this language, and how it can affect our communication with others. It means that we have to be respectful of the differences and preferences of other speakers of English, and how they might perceive our words and actions. And it means that we have to be curious and open-minded about the history and culture behind this language, and how it can enrich our understanding of ourselves and others.

Learning English is not just about mastering its grammar and vocabulary. It is also about appreciating its beauty and creativity. It is about exploring its origins and evolution. And it’s about discovering its potential and possibilities.

English is a remarkable language that has grown and changed over time to become a global phenomenon. It is a language that can bring us together or tear us apart in our communication. It is up to us how we use it wisely and responsibly.