English Spoken Language

454 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Impact of colonialism in South Africa

No other country has as many official languages as South Africa, it has 11 and they are: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu, Swati, Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele and Venda. “According to census data from 2011, Zulu is the most widely spoken language in the country with 11.6 million speakers. This is followed by Xhosa with 8.15 million speakers, and Afrikaans with 6.85 million speakers. English is some distance away with 4.9 million speakers”. Although it is not the most widely spoken language in the nation, it has a great role within the country itself, being designed as a Lingua Franca and, just as in the rest of the world, it is characterized by being a business and educational language since it is mostly used in …show more content…

Language is always changing, it is imperfect, and it needs to be adapted to the historical period in which we live, to social background, we must take into account for whom we are communicating (whether we should communicate formally or informally), the way we use certain words and much more. However, there are 18th century syntagmatic appropriations that still persevere in modern day society of South Africa, and for that there are some examples, words such as “kloof” (/ kluːf/) that is the same as a mountain pass; “dagga” (/ˈdaxə/), which is a local name for marijuana; “boer”(/ˈbəʊə), a word used to describe the descendants of Dutch people who went to live in South Africa; “klaal” (/krɑːl/) which is the same as a conventional African suburb of huts frequently confined by a fence; “quagga” (/ˈkwaɡə/) that is a Zebra extinguished since 1883 who had a peculiarity to have half of the body in a brownish tone. In contrast to others there is “kaffir” (/ˈkafə/) that is a word attributed to people of color in South Africa and “hottentot” (/ˈhɒt(ə)ntɒt/) which is a name as well, but this one is addressed to the Khoi people with the aim of insulting their language in a certain way are nowadays considered intensely outrageous and they are not used

Show More
Related

  • Should English Be The Official Language

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is the official language or the United States? 90% of the people would answer English, but guess again. The United States doesn’t have an official language. The subject of English as the official language of the United States has been covered intensively by the world press over the past decade. Declaring it the official language of United States can make an improvement in many areas, and is very relevant for future generations.

    Read More

  • John Mcwhorter's The Cosmopolit The Means Of A Different Language

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today, the world has around “6,000 languages” that exist (Mcwhorter 429). According to John Mcwhorter, author of“The

    Read More

  • African American Slang

    3507 Words  | 8 Pages

    African American Slang has had many other names: Ebonics, Jive, Black English, and more. The Oxford English Dictionary defines slang (in reference to language) in three different ways: 1) the special vocabulary used by any set of persons of a low or disreputable character; language of a low and vulgar type 2) the special vocabulary or phraseology of a particular calling or profession; the cant or jargon of a certain class or period 3) language of a highly colloquial type, considered as below the level of standard educated speech, and consisting either of new words or of current words employed in some special sense. Whatever one’s perspective on slang, it is a natural and inevitable part of language. In this paper I will discuss examples of current slang being used that some people may not understand.

    Read More

  • Should the United States Make English the Official language?

    1149 Words  | 3 Pages

    If a country doesn’t have an official language is usually due to distinct historical or cultural reasons. As I began reading articles on this topic, I was amazed that the great country I live in doesn’t have an official language. I begin to wonder why this is the case. Many countries have an official language in which all the official business, daily activities and other formal activities are conducted. There are even thirty (30) states that have succeeded through their own statutes to declare English as an official language of their particular state (www.us-english.org).

    Read More

  • Languages Spoken in Ethiopia

    458 Words  | 1 Pages

    There are almost as many languages as there are peoples in Ethiopia, about 80 in all. The languages come from a variety of families - Semitic, Hamitic, Nilotic and Omotic. Amharic, spoken in the country's heartland, is Ethiopia's official language, but Tigrinya, spoken in the north, and Orominya, spoken in the south, have semi-official status. The Oromos are the largest ethnic group in the country, and are made up of a muddle of Christians, Muslims and traditional animists. Amharic and Tigrinya use the Ge'ez script, with an understated 231 letters - keep an eye out for fabulously complex Amharic typewriters. Kids are taught English from junior high onward, and many people can speak a smattering or more.

    Read More

  • Annotated Bibliography: Language In Mainland China

    1501 Words  | 4 Pages

    A lingua franca is a common language that ties speakers of other native languages together. Mandarin works as this lingua franca in the way that it ties people together from countries such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan together, even though their home countries may have different languages. This common standard language allows businesses across these countries to communicate easily. As this lingua franca, Mandarin is growing more as a second-language. The indigenous languages of these variously cultured people still remain intact and in use, and the standard language just allows them to communicate amongst each

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Swahili

    1770 Words  | 4 Pages

    African Languages: Swahili Africa is full of linguistic diversity, containing approximately 2000 different African languages. Other unknown languages are probably spoken in specifically hidden tribes deep within Africa's lands. Of these, Swahili is one of the most prominent languages across Africa. In the US, 1 in ever 7,151 people speaks the language of Swahili at home; it is spoken in 48 states and is ranked as 61 out of the 322 language spoken in the United States (Countries and their Cultures). Many students from across the continent are traveling to the United States to enjoy a better life and more opportunities in their future.

    Read More

  • Cross Cultural Communication in Indonesia and United States

    1619 Words  | 4 Pages

    Schelling (1960) stated language is common tool consisting sounds and signs used by individual to communicate. Indonesia are known as one of the most multifaceted country in the world with approximately 731 distinct languages and more than 1,100 different spoken dialects (Frederick and Worden, 2011). Despite their complexity in culture and language, Indonesia has their own official language, Bahasa Indonesia.

    Read More

  • The Power of Words

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    The power words have is oftentimes underestimated and as a result the world people live in is drastically altered. Words have been used since the invention and implementation of language to stir and move people. From dictators to liberators and revolutionaries words have been used to make points and give visuals to ideals of particular groups. When an African-American person is referred to as a “negro” or a white person is referred to as a “cracker” those words may be imbedded in the minds of younger people who overhear them. Children learn from the actions of adults and those older than themselves. While sometimes words such as “cracker” and “negro” may be typical friendly slang to a friend, many who may hear these words spoken may not necessarily understand and be offended. The same goes for any other derogatory slang about lifestyle, color, or religious choice. Words effect what children learn to be acceptable, how people react to others, and personal expression.

    Read More

  • All Students Should be Required to Study a Foreign Language

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Foreign language skills can be useful in promoting American foreign interests. In a global economy, doing business abroad is paramount, but language barriers can be a burden. Opponents of a foreign language requirement in education would argue that most foreign businessmen already speak English. Admittedly, most foreign competitors do speak English, but only out of necessity. They learned to speak English in an effort to better communicate with their American counterparts and take advantage of the money making potential of doing business in America.

    Read More

  • Language and Education

    1707 Words  | 4 Pages

    Benjamin Whorf once stated, “Language shapes thoughts and emotions, determining one’s perception of reality” (Kilgour). This statement could not be more exact. Language is one of the main factors determining how we feel, how we see the world, and how we learn. Without language there would be no education. It is the most effective form of communication in a society and it is responsible for informing, teaching, and persuading. The action of creating thoughts, memories, opinions, and feelings is entirely based on the use of language. George Orwell, the author of the story “Animal Farm”, focuses on the use of language in relationship to education and political control. Readers are brought through the beginning stages and collapse of a revolution. George Orwell emphasizes the use of language in education and in the process of a revolution. Language plays a large role in the beginning stages of the revolution, but plays a large role in the fall as well. This essay will examine the general importance of language in education and revolution, the relationship between language and learning how to think, and also the relationship between language and learning what to think, both of which create the growth and fall of revolution as George Orwell shows in this story.

    Read More

  • Importance Of English As A Global Language Essay

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    For example, business activities always use English. Some multinational enterprises company require employee to have a high level English skill, so that they can communicate with the partner very easily. Good communication can obtain high benefit in business. Many people of multinational company use English as a world language. You will hear business people use English in many cities. They need to understand English and use English to express thoughts and ideas. Also, English is always used in education. When teacher use English to teach, student can learn a lot of words that can be use in different subject. If student do not learn English as well, they should spend much more time on their study, not only in the knowledge, but also in English. Nowadays, more and more people learn English and English become more important to Chinese. Not only must children learn English from kindergarten but also people who do not understand English cannot work at government (IBJ, 2014). Therefore, English is considered as global

    Read More

  • Global Language Analysis

    1659 Words  | 4 Pages

    They feel that English should be rejected because they do not want to lose their own language and culture. For instance, in 1976, due to the need to develop a sense of national identity, Tanzanians decided to use their native language (Swahili) instead of English as their official language. Thus, this resistance to English may lead to a reduction in the dominance of global English. Recently, technological and electronic developments have made it possible for many languages other than English to be just as accessible. Computer operating systems and software companies have been producing many different local languages.

    Read More

  • English as a Global Language

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    Even though there are advantages as well as disadvantages, the need for international language for communication, politics, economics and security is necessary and English is the best “language candidate” for that function. English is a language spread all over the world and it is used by millions and millions of speakers. According to my opinion, people should use English as a tool to communicate with all cultures but every country must keep their culture and language is a great part of it. In conclusion, language defines identity of a country and everyone should keep their language and explore others.

    Read More

  • The Linguistic Situation of South Africa

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first identified language spoken in the South Africa was Khoisan. This language was spoken by the indigenous people of South Africa, the Khoikhio, who lived mainly in the southern coastal regions of the country. Over the years this language has slowly faded away along with the native Khoikhio people. Today there are only a few native South Africans left who can still speak Khoisan living in the western sections of the country.

    Read More

More about English Spoken Language

Open Document