English as a means of international communication

English is the national language in such countries as Britain, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is the mother tongue of nearly three hundred million people. Many people speak English in Japan, China, India and African countries. But many more use it as an international means of communication, because English has become a truly international language.

Science, trade, sport and international relations of various kinds have given the English language the status of one of the world’s most important languages. Many scien­tific and technical journals are written in English although they are not necessarily published in England or other English-speaking countries. At numerous international meetings and conferences, English is the main language. The Olympic Games and other multinational sports events cannot do without it.

The role English plays today is the result of historical processes. The English language, in the course of its historical development, has met with so many influences from abroad that its lexical and grammatical structure has come to reflect in many ways its international use.

English is a language which is indeed able to cope with the most diverse tasks of international communication.

Technical English is often said to be difficult to under­stand. One of the reasons for this is that many English words can have several meanings.

In order to master technical English the student must first acquire a thorough knowledge of everyday English with its grammar, vocabulary and rules of word-forma­tion. Then it will be easy for him to learn, step by step, the peculiarities of technical English.

The problem of vocabulary also causes difficulty to the reader of technical English. Each branch of science and technology has its own separate vocabulary.

Ability to translate a foreign technical text demands sufficient technical knowledge to understand it and also a great linguistic knowledge and skill.

English is studied as a foreign language at secondary and higher schools of our country.

As for me I like English very much. I studied English at school and I’m studying it now. I study it every day because I want to have a good command of the language.

I am sure if I work at it systematically as I do now I will know the language very well. I try to do my best to master English as quickly as possible. I study pronunciation, vo­cabulary and grammar. I try to speak English to my teachers and to my friends. I read much and do many language exercises. I have many English books. I know that foreign languages are of great importance in our modern life.

XXII. Answer the questions:

1. Why English is an international language?

2. Do you agree that English is the world’s most important language in politics, science, and culture?

3. Why should an educated person know at least one foreign language?

4. Is English popular nowadays?

5. Why have you chosen English to study?

6. What do you like most about English?

7. Are you satisfied with your knowledge of English?

XXIII. Ask as many questions on the text as possible:

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14