Chapter 12 English as a World Language Summary and Analysis

People throughout the world study English, and many other languages have borrowed English words and expressions to illustrate the conditions of modern life. All of these borrowings prompt many to use English as an international language. Many people use English to communicate across borders. Other international languages have been proposed from time to time, including Volapuk, Esperanto, Basic English, and Seaspeak. Each of these languages pass through a period of interest and exploration. Both Seaspeak and Esperanto have continued to find valuable purposes in international communication.

After detailing the ways that other language groups adopt English and apply themselves to diligent study of the language, Bryson laments the lack of such effort on the part of English native speakers to learn other languages, pointing out the errors in translation when English...