Over the past 600 years, English has grown from a language of few speakers to become the dominant language of international communication. English as we know it today emerged around 1350, after having incorporated many elements of French that were introduced following the Norman invasion off 1066. Until the 1600s, English was, for the most part, spoken only in England and had not expanded even as far as Wales, Scotland, or Ireland. However, during the course of the next two century, English began to spread around the globe as a result of exploration, trade (including slave trade), colonization, and missionary work. Thus, small enclaves of English, speakers became established and grew in various parts of the world. As these communities proliferated, English gradually became the primary language of international business, banking, and diplomacy.

Currently, about 80 percent of the information stored on computer systems worldwide is in English. Two thirds of the world's science writing is in English, and English is the main language of technology, advertising, media, international airport, and air traffic controllers.

Today there are more than 700 million English users in the world, and over half of these are non- native speakers, constituting the largest number of non-native users than any other language in the world.

Approximately when did English begin to be used beyond England?

Câu hỏi liên quan

• According to paragraph 3, which of the following fields is NOT suitable for a person who does not want to live in a big city?

• Which of the following is NOT true?

• What does the passage mainly discuss?

   

ZUNIA12

• All activities mentioned in the passage are household chores EXCEPT .................

• According to the passage, an exuberant tone of voice may be an indication of a person's _______.

• The word it in the first paragraph refers to ___.

• Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the denomination of an American coin?

• The word “Here” in the passage refers to__________.

• The article is mainly about .............

• The word “splendors” in the passage could be best replaced by which of the following?

• According to the passage, all of the following have caused damage to the paintings EXCEPT ………………...

• The word “microbes” in paragraph 3 could best be replaced by which of the following?

• The author indicates that the ruby-throated hummingbird is found _______.

• Why did the author write the passage?

• The phrase "held back” in paragraph 1 means________.

• Which of the following is NOT true about algae?

• The word "them" in the passage 2 refers to_________.

• The word "innovative" in line 1 could best be replaced by ...............

• The BEST title for this passage would be ________ 

• As mentioned in the text, who are the most active when their team has the ball?