English in the World -Its Spread, Functions and Status l Status of English Language l Functions of English Language l English as a Global language l BS English Subject World Englishes Semester 5 Punjab University

Language is a key communication tool. It is not just a method of sharing ideas and views but also of building friendships, business connections, and cultural links. We can only communicate without words through signs. More than a language, distinctions are distinguished, and also the distinctive culture of a nation or area or a group is celebrated. A language affects people's understanding of the world and serves to define any society's culture. Any language is a gift that makes a guy more efficient and skilled in many ways by knowing more than one language. It exposes our thoughts to a wonderful realm of delights and fantasies. To ensure appropriate language acquisition allows us to develop our brains, as well as our personalities. Human language is unusual because it is a symbolic method of communication that some individuals learn instead of naturally.

English in the World:
English is the most commonly used by far. As a mother tongue, it barely ranks second in China, which is really six dialects that are not widely understood. On the other hand, on every continent, there are 300 million Native English speakers and an equally widely dispersed group of second-language speakers who utilize English for their everyday needs totaling more than 250 million.

There is at least one newspaper in English even in many nations where English is a minority language. There are 3,000 periodicals produced in English in India alone. TV news is aired in English in numerous nations. Due to the power of television, protesters utilize English-printed placards to the advantage of the international press in every country.

English is a significant worldwide commercial, diplomatic, scientific, and professional language. It is the terminology that is likely to be used by an Iranian businessman and a Japanese business guy. Important goods are exchanged in English, such as silver, tin, and hard money. English is the official language of many international organizations, including the UN and numerous professional organizations. English is also the official language. It is often the part of communication in conferences and international sports. Many professional papers are published in English worldwide. Even articles published in other languages frequently include English abstracts.

Functions of Language:

Functions are the actions that objects of language take when they are used in a real-world setting. Language plays a very essential part in the lives of humans. It is a phenomenon that occurs in social situations. One of the primary objectives of language is to enable individuals to communicate with one another and to be understood by them.

Following are given three essential Functions of Language: 

1. Informative function:

The main purpose of a language is to facilitate the transmission of any information. This function accepts or rejects assumptions, such as scientific facts or factual assertions, depending on their validity. This function assists us in stating the logical facts in a clear and concise manner.

2. Expressive Function:

The secondary purpose of a language is to communicate the sentiments, emotions, or attitudes of someone else. Language has several functions. We have poetry and other kinds of literature to help us communicate our inner emotions in a more effective and creative manner. They both elicit and convey our emotional responses to certain situations.

3. Directive Function:

This function of language leads us to do a certain task. In both requests and instructions, we come across the directive function.

Status of English Language:

The English language in Pakistan is in a delicate situation. Different roles are performed by the English language in Pakistan. English is the language of politics. In Pakistani schools and universities, it is the primary language of teaching. Because all scientific ideas are written in English, it serves as a source of education for the general public. The language of the press and the media in English. It is often referred to as the "universal language. This implies that if someone does not have a good command of the English language, he will have a difficult time achieving a high social position. The majority of individuals in Pakistan speak English only for the purpose of communication. They are unable to communicate in the normal form of English. There are certain individuals who have been assigned the responsibility of using the standard form of English. Some individuals claim that English is not their mother tongue, despite the fact that they are able to comprehend and speak the language. Other individuals in Pakistan, such as language instructors, policymakers, broadcasters, and other institutions, make an effort to adhere to the standard form of the language, but when some people just wing it, communication is negatively impacted.

Conclusion:

It has been shown by native and non-native speakers all around the globe that English is a highly efficient language to communicate with one another.When it comes to globalizing the English language, there are more benefits than drawbacks. The demand for English will increase in the future as a greater number of individuals learn the language, and the country barrier will be reduced as a result of this.

BS English Semester 5 

Subject: World Englishes Course Outlines Punjab University

• English As An International Language: An Overview  
• Language Variations and Discourse; Language Variety and Culture Language
• English in the World -Its Spread, Functions, and Status
• The Three Circles of English In World Englishes 
• Some Features of New Englishes
• British and American English in World Englishes 
• English in South East Asia in World Englishes 
• Pakistani English in World Englishes
• Indian English in World Englishes 
• The Future of English