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①English has become the leading international language because of three rather different
developments. Firstly, the language acquired a strong position in large parts of the world as as
Britain built and maintained its empire from the seventeenth through to the ( A )
twentieth centuries. Secondly, the United States obtained a leading position in technology,
economy, and politics in the first part of the twentieth century, and still retains this status.
Thirdly, industry, communications, and international relations developed in such a way in the
twentieth century that a common language was much more in demand than before. English
was there to fill (a)
the need, while the other European languages had been pushed aside for
different reasons.
As the *prominent position of English arises from the three factors mentioned, attitudes
towards the language among people outside the English-speaking countries may vary
accordingly. English may be seen as a language of communication all over the world, or as a
tool for the imperialist ambitions of the United States, or as [
] *inheritance. All
these views are justified to some extent. Different opinions tend to prevail in different parts of
the world.
In countries outside the direct spheres of influence of the United States and Britain people
often stress the advantages of using one international language in contacts with many
*linguistic areas. People who speak a small language as their native tongue appreciate that
one other language opens up opportunities for contacts in
areas. For this
reason it is becoming ever more important to learn English as a second language in most
countries of the world.
B
