LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

We learn a language to use it as a means of communication, to express our thoughts and feelings. We can use our mother tongue so fluently and naturally because we pick it up from birth. So our thought process is also tuned to think in our mother tongue. When we learn a new language, say, English, we not only have to learn how to speak and write in English, but also how to think in English. In fact, learning to think in English is the first step before we speak or write.

The communicative functions that we perform, such as expressing interest, regret, joy, intention or
agreeing or disagreeing or thanking someone are the same in all languages. Languages differ in the
way we express those functions. If we are able to think in the target language (English), then it will be easier to express any function in that language. Learning the grammatical structures is not enough to speak or write proficiently.

Practice thinking in English till it becomes a habit for you. Word for word translation into English will often lead to mother tongue interference in writing. Try to convey the idea in English. Only then will you be able to communicate with minimal errors in any situation you are in. Thinking in English will lead to improvement in the four basic language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing along with grammar, vocabulary building and pronunciation practice

language

language

Investigations in historical aspects of languages and the field of
dialectology would be impossible without an understanding of phonetics. The
practical aspect of Phonetics is no less important. Teaching of reading and
writing is possible only when one clearly understands the difference between the
sounds and written forms of the language and the connection between them.
Phonetics is also widely used in teaching correct pronunciation and allocution of
actors, singers, TV announcers on the basis of established orthoepical norms.
Orthoepy is the correct pronunciation of the words of a language. Phonetics is
important for eliminating dialectical features from the pronunciation of dialect
speakers; in logopedics (in curing various speech defects); in surdopedagogics (in
teaching normal aural speech to deaf and dumb people). Acoustic Phonetics and
Phonology are of great use in technical acoustics or sound technology that is the
branch of science and technology which is concerned with the study and design of
techniques for the recording, transmission, reproduction, analysis and synthesis of
sound by means of various devices such as microphone, loud-speaker, radio and
television sets, speech synthesizers etc.

ENGLISH AS A GLOBAL LANGUAGE

The growth of the use of English as the world’s primary

language for international communication has obviously

been continuing for several decades. But even as the

number of English speakers expands further there are signs

that the global predominance of the language may fade

within the foreseeable future.

Complex international, economic, technological and

cultural changes could start to diminish the leading position

of English as the language of the world market,

The world language system is being transformed, as the relationship between

‘big’ languages change and many smaller languages are disappearing.

English is not the main reason for global language loss. The impact of English

is mainly on the status of other national languages.

The attractiveness of Mandarin to learners across the world is growing, and

language schools in many countries are expanding their provision to include

it. Unlike the enthusiasm for learning Japanese which was prompted by the

economic rise of Japan, there are reasons why interest in Mandarin may

remain a long-term trend.

Where the global importance of languages used to depend on the number

and wealth of native speakers, now the number of people who use it as a

second language is becoming a more significant factor.