Stop the recording after “that’s the way it”s going to go” 11.13 minutes.

Listening Comprehension
David Crystal - Will English Always Be the Global Language?
From the British Council interview in Belgrade on 9 November 2013

1 What could no one have predicted 1000 years ago?

That Latin will no longer be used.

2 Why is it difficult to predict the future of language?

To predict the future of language, we must know and consider the future of
society.

3 What makes a language global?

It’s because of the power of the people who speak it.

4 For what different reasons did English become global?

 Power of British empire
 American imperialism
 Industrial revolution
 Power of money talks
 Radio, television, internet
 Culture power
 Banking
5 What has changed linguistically concerning the internet?
It was 100%, and now, there is some adaptation.

6 What factors could influence the future position of English?

That the most powerful nations continue to talk English.

7 What is the current situation of Spanish?

Right now, it’s the fastest growing language in the world.

8 How many people speak English in the world at the moment? What is exceptional
about this?
They are 1.8/2 billion of English speakers.

9 How recent is global English?

Nobody talked about global English 30 years ago. Global English followed global
economy.
10 What is his first possible scenario for the type of English that global English will be
based on in the future?
American English will dominate all other forms of English.

11 How is this influence already present?

From spelling: encyclopedia, Anesthesia (with an e, instead of “ae” in the
British English)
Schedule (with the “k” pronunciation in American English)

12 Why did American English originate?

After being independent, they wanted to develop their own English.

13 What is happening globally now?

Every country appropriates their own English (Indian English).

14 What example does he give us of a recent grammatical change, present in Indian

English, that is now becoming more generally adopted?
I am knowing, I am remembering, I am thinking.

15 What is his second scenario for the future development of global English?
We will find all sort of English all around the world (American, Australian, Indian
etcetera).