Quotes about the English language | EF Global Site (English) (2024)

FAQs

What is a famous quote about the English language? ›

The English language is nobody's special property. It is the property of the imagination: it is the property of the language itself. Shakespeare's taught me that there are more words in the English language than I have got in my head.

It is not only applied when people speak to English people, but also used when people from different nations meet. English is the most widely spoken language in very different contexts in the world. Therefore, English is not only an inter- national language, but also a global language.

English is the Language of International Communication

Although English is not the most spoken language in the world, it is the official language in 53 countries and is spoken as a first language by around 400 million people worldwide. But that's not all, it is also the most common second language in the world.

“Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.” “Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow.” “Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language.”

To me it is very important to understand the nature of English and how it works. To understand English is one thing; to understand an Englishman who talks is another. What does it matter if you can speak two or more languages if you have nothing original to say in any language?

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Nelson Mandela. "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." — Confucius.

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” From a modern perspective, this is arguably the most famous line in the history of English literature, which is not surprising because it originates from the hand of arguably the most famous writer in the history of English literature as well—William Shakespeare (1564-1616).

Global English is a style of writing that makes written English more easily understood by non-native speakers. Global English does this by being precise, logical and literal. It is the language of manual and technical writers who want their writing to be extremely clear to anyone who reads it.

What is special about global English? ›

Global English is a simplified, logical, and literal variety of English that contains no slang or colloquialisms unique to a geographical place. It is used on a global scale, usually amongst non-native English speakers, to facilitate successful communication.

The spread of English as a global language has been facilitated by its adaptability, borrowings, and flexibility . It has become the lingua franca of modern business communication and is used in almost all fields, including science, engineering, technology, medicine, tourism, and banking .

Using English as a universal language allows cultures to share the arts and sciences. People watch movies and TV shows from different nations. Others share scientific ideas that lead to great breakthroughs.

English is the language of our international communication in all areas, such as politics, science, media or art and it is often the language of entertainment as well as socialising. Having a good command of English helps us to have more opportunities in life, first of all, our career.

“No one ever complains about a speech being too short!” Ira Hayes. “Speeches measured by the hour die with the hour.” Thomas Jefferson. “Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.” D. H. Lawrence.