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| − | The '''English language''' is the predominant language of the [[United States of America|United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], and [[Canada]], <ref> http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855611.html </ref> as well as other former members of the [[British Empire]]. Due to the enormous economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the these nations, English functions as the world's major international language. | + | The '''English language''' is the predominant language of the [[United States of America|United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], and [[Canada]],<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855611.html</ref> as well as other former members of the [[British Empire]]. Due to the enormous economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the these nations, English functions as the world's major international language. |
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| | ==History and Development== | | ==History and Development== |
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| | Scholars typically identify several key factors in the development of the language in regards to the insurgence of non-native terminology. These times include the influence of French, mentioned above, the commerce England had with Spain, introducing Spanish to the language, and the effect of the [[Renaissance]] and [[Enlightenment]] period, which brought Latin and Greek based words to the language. Based on the history of the English language, it is sometimes compared to a common [[Creole]] language due to the many factors that have helped it develop over hundreds of years. | | Scholars typically identify several key factors in the development of the language in regards to the insurgence of non-native terminology. These times include the influence of French, mentioned above, the commerce England had with Spain, introducing Spanish to the language, and the effect of the [[Renaissance]] and [[Enlightenment]] period, which brought Latin and Greek based words to the language. Based on the history of the English language, it is sometimes compared to a common [[Creole]] language due to the many factors that have helped it develop over hundreds of years. |
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| − | After World War II, the rise of the United States as a world superpower led to English replacing French as the Lingua-Franca, becoming the world's most used language for diplomacy, commerce, science, and so forth. Because of this, English is considered the world's most important international language by many.<ref> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4080401.stm </ref> | + | After World War II, the rise of the United States as a world superpower led to English replacing French as the Lingua-Franca, becoming the world's most used language for diplomacy, commerce, science, and so forth. Because of this, English is considered the world's most important international language by many.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4080401.stm</ref> |
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| | ==Spelling== | | ==Spelling== |