Culture of England - Language

Language

See also: English language, English language in England, and British English

English people traditionally speak the English language, a member of the West Germanic language family. The modern English language evolved from Old English, with lexical influence from Norman-French, Latin, and Old Norse. Cornish, a Celtic language originating in Cornwall, is currently spoken by about 3,500 people. Historically, another Brythonic Celtic language, Cumbric, was spoken in Cumbria in North West England, but it died out in the 11th century although traces of it can still be found in the Cumbrian dialect. Because of the 19th century geopolitical dominance of the British Empire and the post-World War II hegemony of the United States, English has become the international language of business, science, communications, aviation, and diplomacy.

Read more about this topic:  Culture Of England

Famous quotes containing the word language:

    “... language is meaningful because it is the expression of thoughts—of thoughts which are about something.”
    —Roderick M. Chisholm (b. 1916)

    ““What may this mean? Language of Man pronounced
    By tongue of brute, and human sense expressed!
    The first at least of these I thought denied
    To beasts, whom God on their creation-day
    Created mute to all articulate sound;
    The latter I demur, for in their looks
    Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears.”
    —John Milton (1608–1674)

    “Public speaking is done in the public tongue, the national or tribal language; and the language of our tribe is the men’s language. Of course women learn it. We’re not dumb. If you can tell Margaret Thatcher from Ronald Reagan, or Indira Gandhi from General Somoza, by anything they say, tell me how. This is a man’s world, so it talks a man’s language.”
    —Ursula K. Le Guin (b. 1929)