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Why is English the "default" language of the World?

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Topic Starter
Aireunaeus
If we think about it, pretty much everyone uses English if someone doesn't understand the language you originally speak. noone really uses like German or Italian as a default language, which is kinda weird on why English the most used language is? I know there's some History shit that i may be interested but, why particularly English and not like german or japanese???
UPR
Cause the lingua franca always changes with the Superpowers of the world, English has been that lingua franca for decades possibly centuries if you count the UK's time in the limelight. I mean Chinese is seeing a boost in prominence in the last few decades, but at this point, English is super engrained for Western countries and specific spheres in Asia. As for why Japanese and German aren't as widely used, they are regional powers. The times of nationalistic and imperial empires are over for the most part they have become regional powers over time (in other areas it is global, but in terms of overall it's regional) because of the 20th century. Plus, there was a time when the lingua franca was split between English and Russian for a few years irc, it didn't last of course but it did happen.
sametdze
UK took over a lot of countries
Nanofranne
• UK was a superpower back then, followed by USA from the end of ww2. Their influence over the world through language and culture is widespread
• Relating to previous point, a lot of scientific advancement happened where a lot of people is speaking english. It's no wonder why every other language have to adopt english for making a word that's technical
• The advancement of Internet, where it's also happened to be in the USA
• The advancement of computer, entertainment, media, you name it
• English is like a bridge between Germanic and Romance languages, making it somewhat more 'accesible' for other European. I wonder what will happened if english is also being influenced by Slavic languages
anaxii

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
sametdze

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
They got independence, didn't they?


As for Australia, UK just dumped its criminals in here.. and now the union jack is just stapled to my flag.
Ymir

sametdze wrote:

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
They got independence, didn't they?


As for Australia, UK just dumped its criminals in here.. and now the union jack is just stapled to my flag.
I like the Union Jack all hail the UK and the Queen (who is still very much alive and kicking)
sametdze

-Remi wrote:

sametdze wrote:

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
They got independence, didn't they?


As for Australia, UK just dumped its criminals in here.. and now the union jack is just stapled to my flag.
I like the Union Jack all hail the UK and the Queen (who is still very much alive and kicking)
She died like Mario when he gets hit by a goomba
Topic Starter
Aireunaeus

UPR wrote:

Cause the lingua franca always changes with the Superpowers of the world, English has been that lingua franca for decades possibly centuries if you count the UK's time in the limelight. I mean Chinese is seeing a boost in prominence in the last few decades, but at this point, English is super engrained for Western countries and specific spheres in Asia. As for why Japanese and German aren't as widely used, they are regional powers. The times of nationalistic and imperial empires are over for the most part they have become regional powers over time (in other areas it is global, but in terms of overall it's regional) because of the 20th century. Plus, there was a time when the lingua franca was split between English and Russian for a few years irc, it didn't last of course but it did happen.
lingua franca?

Nanofranne wrote:

• UK was a superpower back then, followed by USA from the end of ww2. Their influence over the world through language and culture is widespread
• Relating to previous point, a lot of scientific advancement happened where a lot of people is speaking english. It's no wonder why every other language have to adopt english for making a word that's technical
• The advancement of Internet, where it's also happened to be in the USA
• The advancement of computer, entertainment, media, you name it
• English is like a bridge between Germanic and Romance languages, making it somewhat more 'accesible' for other European. I wonder what will happened if english is also being influenced by Slavic languages
Those points you've mentioned do make sense lol. UK almost owning the world is prolly the reason on why english is mostly used. but i kind of doubt it cuz u cant be forced learning english just because they conquered ur country lol.

The internet starting in America also makes sense aswell because most of the people were speaking english at that time and the world wide web wasnt really popping off on other countries.
anaxii

sametdze wrote:

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
They got independence, didn't they?
The territory was renamed the USA after the independence yeah, but it was originally English expatriates who were there so it was considered a colony
UPR

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

Anaxii wrote:

sametdze wrote:

UK took over a lot of countries
The USA for example
They got independence, didn't they?
The territory was renamed the USA after the independence yeah, but it was originally English expatriates who were there so it was considered a colony
Originally it was just Colonial company lands that were under the flag of Great Britain, several groups that didn't want to be in the Isles for religious reasons or other ones (there are a few I can't remember) left for said lands with permission from the Crown and settled there. They were already colonies before the expatriates left for them. Also, it was already called the United States once they truly succeeded from the British during the second Continental Congress, not after.
cyanideiscyan

Aireunaeus wrote:

UPR wrote:

Cause the lingua franca always changes with the Superpowers of the world, English has been that lingua franca for decades possibly centuries if you count the UK's time in the limelight. I mean Chinese is seeing a boost in prominence in the last few decades, but at this point, English is super engrained for Western countries and specific spheres in Asia. As for why Japanese and German aren't as widely used, they are regional powers. The times of nationalistic and imperial empires are over for the most part they have become regional powers over time (in other areas it is global, but in terms of overall it's regional) because of the 20th century. Plus, there was a time when the lingua franca was split between English and Russian for a few years irc, it didn't last of course but it did happen.
lingua franca?

Nanofranne wrote:

• UK was a superpower back then, followed by USA from the end of ww2. Their influence over the world through language and culture is widespread
• Relating to previous point, a lot of scientific advancement happened where a lot of people is speaking english. It's no wonder why every other language have to adopt english for making a word that's technical
• The advancement of Internet, where it's also happened to be in the USA
• The advancement of computer, entertainment, media, you name it
• English is like a bridge between Germanic and Romance languages, making it somewhat more 'accesible' for other European. I wonder what will happened if english is also being influenced by Slavic languages
Those points you've mentioned do make sense lol. UK almost owning the world is prolly the reason on why english is mostly used. but i kind of doubt it cuz u cant be forced learning english just because they conquered ur country lol.

The internet starting in America also makes sense aswell because most of the people were speaking english at that time and the world wide web wasnt really popping off on other countries.
for a while it was french the lingua franca
WitherMite
Imperialism
anaxii

WitherMite wrote:

Imperialism
And Chinese is not the "default" language of the world
Jangsoodlor
Because Britannia ruled the waves. But up until about a century ago it was French believe it or not.

Anaxii wrote:

WitherMite wrote:

Imperialism
And Chinese is not the "default" language of the world
Name me a Chinese colony lol
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