THE GLOBAL RISE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: HISTORICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVES
Keywords:
English language, globalization, linguistics, education, digital communication, sociolinguistics, world EnglishesAbstract
The English language has evolved from a regional vernacular in early medieval Britain into the dominant global lingua franca of the twenty-first century. This paper explores the historical, political, economic, and sociolinguistic forces that contributed to the expansion of English worldwide. The study traces the language’s journey from the British colonial era through the industrial and technological revolutions to its current role in globalization and digital communication. It also discusses the emergence of regional English varieties and examines both the benefits and challenges of English’s global dominance.
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