English Language Day

Whether English is your first language or you have learned it as a second language, you will be using a language that is spoken worldwide by billions of people. The United Nations first established English Language Day (ELD) in 2010 to inform people about the history, culture and achievements of English as it is one of the two working languages of the UN Secretariat and one of the organisation’s six official languages. ELD takes place on 23^rd April, the date was chosen as it is the date of Shakespeare’s birth and death, and he is one of the most famous writers in English.

History of English

English has absorbed many influences over the centuries. It can trace its roots to a Germanic language which would have come to Britain when tribes such as the Angles, Saxons and Jutes began to arrive in Britain around the 5^th century. Later, the language absorbed Norse vocabulary from Viking invaders, Latin from Christian missionaries, and French following the Norman Conquest in 1066. By the time Shakespeare was writing in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, English had many influences.

In later centuries, colonialism and trade fuelled the spread of English, and it gained prominence across the globe. In modern times, music, film, and social media continue to extend the reach of the language. Since 1932, the BBC has broadcast its World Service across many parts of the world, and this is how many living abroad with no access to language education have been able to learn English.

In modern times, English has continued to absorb words from other languages. There are also new words created to reflect changing technology and culture, which, through general widespread use, get added to the dictionary. In the past few years, words such as meme, deepfake and selfie, along with many more, have become so commonly used that they are now found in English dictionaries.

Common words from other languages

Some of our everyday English words have their roots in other languages – you may be surprised!

Shampoo – Originates from the Hindi word champo, meaning to massage or knead.

Rucksack – German

Cafe – French

Lemon – Arabic

Accents and dialects

Throughout the English-speaking world there are a huge range of accents and dialects. An American or Australian accent is instantly recognizable. Within the UK itself there’s a diverse range of accents – Scots, Geordie (Newcastle and surrounding area, England), Yorkshire, Cockney (London), and dialects which can reflect past influences in that area:

Scots/Geordie – The word “bairn” meaning child comes from the Norse “barn”. Barn is still used in Norwegian and Swedish to mean child.

Yorkshire – If someone from Yorkshire refers to laiking they are talking about playing. This comes from the Norse leika. Today in Norway “leke” means play.

Scots – Many Scots people talk about the “kirk” meaning church coming from the Norse “kirkja”. Today “kirke” is still used in Norwegian for church.

English Literature

Many of the world’s classic novels and texts have been written by authors using the English language. These texts are still read, taught and studied today.

Literature

William Shakespeare – Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. Works include Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.

Charles Dickens – Through his vivid depictions of London life Dickens raised awareness of the poverty and hardships faced by the poorest of the population. Works include Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and David Copperfield.

Bronte Sisters – Classic novels Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall all feature strong female characters and touch on societal expectations and emotions of the time, all set in the dramatic Yorkshire countryside.

Mary Shelley – Her novel Frankenstein is an early example of the science fiction genre. She wrote other novels, short stories and travel books.

Jane Austen – Her novels’ plots often focus on the importance of a good marriage for women to secure financial stability and social standing.

JK Rowling – The Harry Potter series has become a modern literary classic.

Scientific texts

Many respected and influential scientific texts were written and first published in English, some of which are mentioned below:

Charles Darwin – On the Origin of Species. Fundamental texts on evolution and natural history.

Stephen Hawking – A Brief History of Time. Explores cosmology, the Big Bang, and black holes for a general audience.

Isaac Newton – Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Established the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Social commentary

Many writers have used their works to raise awareness of issues important to them. Examples include:

George Orwell – Animal Farm. Focuses on Political Corruption & Totalitarianism.

William Golding – Lord of the Flies. Features social breakdown.

Aldous Huxley – Brave New World. Explores technological control.

Classic films

There are endless classic films in the English language, probably because Hollywood in America is one of the most prolific centres of film production. Some of the novels written by the authors mentioned above have been turned into films, some with multiple versions.

Would you like to take part in ELD? Why not try:

Reading a classic English Literature book, watching the film version or doing both to compare.

Attending a classic play at the theatre.

Have a listen to some regional dialects.

Hosting or joining a book club.

Whether it’s for study or pleasure, we hope you find English interesting, and there are many novels available to borrow from Merchiston campus library.

By Vivienne Hamilton

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