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Expert: New 'must learn' language likely to be Mandarin
(overtakes English in importance by 2050)
AP ^
| Friday, February 27, 2004
Posted on 02/27/2004 4:59:09 PM PST by presidio9
Edited on 04/29/2004 2:03:57 AM PDT by Jim Robinson.
[history]
The world faces a future of people speaking more than one language, with English no longer seen as likely to become dominant, a British language expert says in a new analysis.
"English is likely to remain one of the world's most important languages for the foreseeable future, but its future is more problematic -- and complex -- than most people appreciate," said language researcher David Graddol.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: china; globalism; mandarin
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1
posted on
02/27/2004 4:59:09 PM PST
by
presidio9
To: presidio9
It's not the numbers, it's the worldwide spread and key positions. For instance, Hinduism has hundreds of millions of followers, but they are almost all in India. Christianity and Islam have had far more effect on history because of their worldwide distribution.
Similarly, there may be more Mandarin speakers than English speakers, but most of them are concentrated in China and the vast majority are peasants. If China conquers the world, then that may change, of course, but not likely otherwise.
2
posted on
02/27/2004 5:03:27 PM PST
by
Cicero
(Marcus Tullius)
To: presidio9
I don't have time to take it up. Besides, I'll be dead in 2050.
To: anniegetyourgun
I hope not.
Bill Clinton is the father of the Chinese space program
4
posted on
02/27/2004 5:07:55 PM PST
by
al baby
(Hope I don't get into trouble for this)
To: presidio9
English will replace all other languages eventually since it is already far larger than any other language, a half million word not counting technical jargon, three times as large as French which is second with 150,000 words. Largely this is due to English being an accepting language (unlike French) and we English speakers are more than happy to steal a useful phrase from another language if it suits our purpose. Also, I am told by my Chinese God-Children that Mandarin has only one tense; very limiting.
The utility of English is its real strength. It is a precise tool ideally suited to description and fine shades of meaning
To: al baby
Well, if not dead, an old woman!
I really don't like to think of Bill Clinton in light of fathering.....
To: muir_redwoods
The Greeks and Hebrews might argue with you on the utility question. But then, they are prone to argumentation.
To: presidio9
Learning a second language (Spanish, in my case, but I also attempted Japanese and German) was not my forte. Thankfully, I'll be damned near 80 in 2050 if I'm even around. I won't care if anyone understands me or not. :)
8
posted on
02/27/2004 5:13:27 PM PST
by
newzjunkey
(NO on 55 & 56 -- YES on 57 & 58)
To: Cicero
Even many Chinese don't speak Mandarin. Mandarin is nowhere near the global language that English is. For a second language I speak Spanish. Much more useful than Mandarin. Plus it uses the Latin alphabet.
9
posted on
02/27/2004 5:13:33 PM PST
by
PJ-Comix
(Saddam Hussein was only 537 Florida votes away from still being in power)
To: muir_redwoods
It is a precise tool ideally suited to description and fine shades of meaning Aha! Ah ha. Ha ha. Ha ha he he. Bwahahahehe . . .
10
posted on
02/27/2004 5:14:31 PM PST
by
RightWhale
(Theorems link concepts; proofs establish links)
To: Cicero
Did you see the story about chineese obsession with learing english in time for their Olympic turn? They are even striving to learn to eliminate accents.
To: presidio9
I think they used to say the same thing about Japanese. Hard to predict so far into the future.
To: anniegetyourgun
Old woman or young woman?
13
posted on
02/27/2004 5:19:13 PM PST
by
al baby
(Hope I don't get into trouble for this)
To: presidio9
Bu hau. Wo te Chongwen bu tai hau.
14
posted on
02/27/2004 5:20:06 PM PST
by
zook
To: presidio9
Xie xie.
15
posted on
02/27/2004 5:22:13 PM PST
by
Eala
(Sacrificing tagline fame for... TRAD ANGLICAN RESOURCE PAGE: http://eala.freeservers.com/anglican)
To: al baby
You can't fool me. I know all about these Rorschachs tests. How could one miss that drawing of two ostriches mating....
Comment #17 Removed by Moderator
To: presidio9
English is now being taught as a prerequisite in grade schools in China. Mandarin is being replaced by English-speaking citizens all over China.
18
posted on
02/27/2004 5:27:41 PM PST
by
azhenfud
("He who is always looking up seldom finds others' lost change...")
To: zook
Ni hue sho zhongwen ma?
19
posted on
02/27/2004 5:30:02 PM PST
by
azhenfud
("He who is always looking up seldom finds others' lost change...")
To: presidio9
20
posted on
02/27/2004 5:30:57 PM PST
by
Mentos
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