Is it a good thing or a bad thing that English is a global language?

Hi taraelocin, it is good that there is one language which can be used in many places whilst at the same time everyone should retain their own language. Relatively speaking English is very easy compared to other languages as there are not so many grammar rules or the need to constantly stress words. It is true thought that English speakers take too much for granted that others will speak English and if they don't the English speakers just talk louder to get their point across. Other languages ought to be taught in English speaking countries from a younger age. In my area some of the people speak English enought to cope with the tourist trade, others nothing and why should they, they are in their own country. But English is the means by which I can translate between an Austrian or French person as an example,to a Greek person.

As a matter of fact,English is the global language that we all know.It isn't the matter to the native English speakers.However,it is't easy for us to learn. But face the reality,we know that we communicate with the foreigners in English.Last month,a Hungary professor give us a lecture .He spoke English very flunently and his own language is Hungarian.This makes me feel that if I want to tell foreigners to exchage my ideas. It is not profer to say it is good or bad.It is the fact we must face.As the economic develop,we must know that A global language is necessary ,and English may be the one. In my opinion,the English becomes the global language and it my be a good thing to English speakers.

It's a fact that English has already been a global language. I think it's a good thing for human beings. In the era of globalization, people from different countries feel it more and more necessary to have a common language which could help them communicate with others smoothly. For the domination position of USA, English plays the role of common language. With the help of it, people could discuss issues further and reduce many misunderstandings which result from language. Of course, if you want to understand the culture of a certain country further, you'd better learn its own language.

we can say that english is only an international language but not a global... because i can say some words of other languages cannot translate to english ... it is not in exact definition... ^_^

Oh. Im so jealous that you know 4 languages! I know know 2 and another 3 dialects from our country. English is my second language though and it is required that we learn it considering that it is the global communication language. I think it's good that we have a universal language so that we can understand each other better. I would like to learn Chinese, Japanese and Arabic coz these countries are my neighbors. I would like to learn Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, and Greek through. But maybe, it will only be a dream.

not good ,why the people learn the chinese .firstly, there are large amount of chinese in the world ,secondly,chinese is hard to learn ,i think it can make the exciese of the brain

Having one common language is very much necessary for communication. Without one common language then it would be hard to interact as well as communicate. English language is indeed the global language considering that it is understood by many. I do admire you for having learned many languages. It is surely an added plus.

may be it's good we need a global language,if we don't,how could I know you?

I think it's both good and bad. USA get too much power, that's bad. People can talk without each other from different parts of the world, that's good. But we can't force people to learn english and many countries do not speak english. Too many countries do not speak english actually :)

well it is good to have one language that can be used internationally. however as you said it can make native english speakers extremely lazy - look at british tourists and you will see what i mean. i think it is important to be able to speak more than one language - apart from anything else it gives you a different perspective. language education in schools over here needs a massive overhaul. also things have been said about english possibly overwhelming other languages but i don't actually think this will happen when there the other languages are the main ones spoken in a country. smaller languages have been dying out - e.g. gaelic, quichua, but i think this is a separate issue.

hello taraelocin, There's nothing with english as the global language. frankly it depends on who's the most dominating super-power right at these moments. and i agree with the other user about the 14th century about latin being the most dominant language at that time, it's probably because of the strong influences of the SPanish empire. but now it's most US/British English. but it's okay, i don't think am comfortable talking other laguages, but i want to be fluent in those languages.

i think that it's a realy good things that there is a global language, so people from different countries can talk together, a chinese boy can talk with a french boy in english. if there is no global language, how can they talk together? Maybe it's a not a good thing for english or american people, they don't need to learn and talk other languages.

i dont mind english being an universal language because ppl can converse in 1 universal language because it is hard for ppl to learn all the languages that are there in earth including the tribal languages

i think it's a good thing.English is my second language.it's easy to learn and i think it is qualified to be a global language for this reason.

Greatest hazard to mankind!!! Be proud of our mother tongue.

Yes,I believe that we should have a global language. Be it be anything English or another language which is well spoken by other people in the world. We have to have a global language because all of us will get a good chance to understand the cultures and traditions of foreign countries if we get a chance to go there. We can feel a little secured mentally if our voice could be understood by a person when we have never met. Though our countries or what ever made us divided we can get united with the language we speak