Comments on: The fate of English http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/ Just another Pajamasmedia.com weblog Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:08:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Fat Man http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31791 Fat Man Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:41:40 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31791 Starling: its is right above the date right above your name at 26. Starling: its is right above the date right above your name at 26.

]]> By: barry 0351 http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31778 barry 0351 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:40:53 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31778 Learn Arabic and get it over with. Learn Arabic and get it over with.

]]> By: Starling http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31756 Starling Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:04:11 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31756 Thanks FatMan. Do you have a link for this quote? Thanks FatMan. Do you have a link for this quote?

]]> By: Fat Man http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31701 Fat Man Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:37:37 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31701 It took a couple of days, but the meme finally shook loose in my brain. Globish is not original at all. The Voice of America was in front of this by about 40 years: <blockquote>The Roots of Special English On October 19, 1959, the Voice of America broadcast the first Special English program. It was an experiment. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA. They still are. Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English. Over the years, its role has expanded. It helps people learn American English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science. It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere. Three Elements Make Special English Unique It has a core vocabulary of 1500 words. Most are simple words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Some words are more difficult. They are used for reporting world events and describing discoveries in medicine and science. Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use active voice. They do not use idioms. Special English broadcasters read at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of standard English. This helps people learning English hear each word clearly. It also helps people who are fluent English speakers understand complex subjects.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/about_special_english.cfm" rel="nofollow">Link</a> It took a couple of days, but the meme finally shook loose in my brain. Globish is not original at all. The Voice of America was in front of this by about 40 years:

The Roots of Special English

On October 19, 1959, the Voice of America broadcast the first Special English program. It was an experiment. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA. They still are. Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English. Over the years, its role has expanded. It helps people learn American English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science. It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere.

Three Elements Make Special English Unique

It has a core vocabulary of 1500 words. Most are simple words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Some words are more difficult. They are used for reporting world events and describing discoveries in medicine and science.

Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. They use active voice. They do not use idioms.

Special English broadcasters read at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of standard English. This helps people learning English hear each word clearly. It also helps people who are fluent English speakers understand complex subjects.

Link

]]> By: olde fogey http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31569 olde fogey Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:53:57 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31569 For those of us who spend too much time in a Taco Bell, it's iroic to read about Pidgin English when I listen in to many teen conversations and can not even understand what they're talking about much less what they say. I guess it doesn't help that I don't watch TV. For those of us who spend too much time in a Taco Bell, it’s iroic to read about Pidgin English when I listen in to many teen conversations and can not even understand what they’re talking about much less what they say.

I guess it doesn’t help that I don’t watch TV.

]]> By: cellec http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31561 cellec Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:05:54 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31561 Take a stroll into any gas station, 7-11, or ethinic restaurant in Los Angeles and "globish" is all you'll here. As a native English-speaker it occasionally drives me nuts, however people from all over the planet seem to be able to make themselves understood to each other using this "globish". At least for the purposes of buying a slurpee or a tank fo gas. Take a stroll into any gas station, 7-11, or ethinic restaurant in Los Angeles and “globish” is all you’ll here. As a native English-speaker it occasionally drives me nuts, however people from all over the planet seem to be able to make themselves understood to each other using this “globish”. At least for the purposes of buying a slurpee or a tank fo gas.

]]> By: Starling http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31558 Starling Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:01:33 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31558 "...1500 words." According to several sources, that's the number of words that Shakespeare is believed to have created. His vocabulary, as evidenced in his writings, is estimated at about 18,000 words- more than double that of all of his contemporaries, twice that of Milton. One may be able to communicate in globish, but if the size of ones vocabulary is any indicator of the refinement of thought, I'd not expect any great literature to be written in globish. “…1500 words.” According to several sources, that’s the number of words that Shakespeare is believed to have created. His vocabulary, as evidenced in his writings, is estimated at about 18,000 words- more than double that of all of his contemporaries, twice that of Milton. One may be able to communicate in globish, but if the size of ones vocabulary is any indicator of the refinement of thought, I’d not expect any great literature to be written in globish.

]]> By: exdem13 http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31552 exdem13 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:15:37 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31552 The funny thing is that a highly educated & respected professional is finally catching on to a meme established by Gibson, Williams, and Sterling about 25 years ago. Global government and global economy may never happen, but global speak, sure thing! The funny thing is that a highly educated & respected professional is finally catching on to a meme established by Gibson, Williams, and Sterling about 25 years ago. Global government and global economy may never happen, but global speak, sure thing!

]]> By: twobyfour http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31541 twobyfour Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:56:53 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31541 @ 19. Bart Funny, just the opposite in my case. I don't import Czech loans into English, but when I speak Czech (very rarely) I spike it with anglicisms so it's like a shish kabob and have to watch my language when talking with someone in the old country. @ 19. Bart

Funny, just the opposite in my case. I don’t import Czech loans into English, but when I speak Czech (very rarely) I spike it with anglicisms so it’s like a shish kabob and have to watch my language when talking with someone in the old country.

]]> By: Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/01/26/the-fate-of-english/#comment-31539 Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:38:04 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/?p=2061#comment-31539 Cosmeau -- it works the other way in Quebec, too. I lived there for 13 years and it was not uncommon to hear anglos say things like: "Will it derange you if I don't assist at your reunion?" Meaning will it bother you if I don't go to your meeting?" My kids' English to this day remains quietly salted with francicisms, and it's been nearly 20 years since they lived there. Cosmeau — it works the other way in Quebec, too. I lived there for 13 years and it was not uncommon to hear anglos say things like: “Will it derange you if I don’t assist at your reunion?” Meaning will it bother you if I don’t go to your meeting?”

My kids’ English to this day remains quietly salted with francicisms, and it’s been nearly 20 years since they lived there.

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