Do You Really Know English?

English is considered the lingua franca of the world because it is widely spoken and understood by people from different countries and cultures. It is the language of international communication, business, and diplomacy. English has become a global language due to the historical influence of the British Empire and the dominance of the United States in various fields. It is also the language of technology, science, and popular culture, further solidifying its status as the lingua franca.

During the era of colonialism, colonial masters aimed to establish a single accepted language for official transactions worldwide. Out of the options provided, English emerged as the language with global acceptance for such purposes. English became widely used due to the influence of British colonialism and later the dominance of the United States as a global power. Its widespread usage in international trade, diplomacy, and communication has solidified its status as the language of choice for official transactions on a global scale.

The British Empire spread the English language through the establishment of colonies and geopolitical dominance. As they expanded their empire, the British brought their language and culture with them, imposing it on the indigenous populations. Through colonization, the English language became the dominant language in many regions, as it was used for administration, education, and commerce. The British also used their geopolitical power to influence other countries and regions to adopt English as a global language. This led to the widespread use and acceptance of English as a lingua franca in many parts of the world.

Language is a critical aspect of human life as it serves as identification and means of communication. The question asks which region speaks the English language in the world. The correct answer is "Worldwide" because English is spoken by people all over the world, not limited to a specific region, making it a global language.

Ethnicity plays a significant role in language selection for national interest in a country. In the case of Africa, where there are numerous ethnic groups and languages, English is widely spoken. This could be due to historical factors, such as colonization by English-speaking countries and the influence of English in education and administration. English has become a common language for communication and trade among different ethnic groups in Africa, making it the widely spoken language in the region.

The estimated number of English speaking nationwide is 360-400 million. This answer is based on the statement that "almost all nations of the world speak English save a few." This suggests that a large majority of nations have English speakers, indicating a significant global population of English speakers. The given range falls within a reasonable estimate for the number of English speakers worldwide.

The correct answer is 1755. This suggests that the first English dictionary was published in that year after many years of collecting words and their meanings.

Samuel Johnson is the correct answer because he is known for compiling and publishing the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language, titled "A Dictionary of the English Language." This dictionary was a significant achievement and greatly contributed to the standardization and organization of the English language.

The English language has been influenced by Germanic languages throughout history. Germanic languages, including Old English, have played a significant role in shaping the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of English. This influence can be traced back to the migration of Germanic tribes to the British Isles in the early Middle Ages. Over time, English evolved from Old English to Middle English and eventually to Modern English, incorporating elements from Germanic languages along the way. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Germanic languages have influenced the development of the English language.

The correct answer is Indo-European. The modern grammatical changes in English can be attributed to the influence of the Indo-European language family. English, being a Germanic language, has undergone significant changes and borrowing from other languages within the Indo-European family, such as Latin, French, and Greek. These influences have shaped the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of the English language over time.