More than 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide. So, how did English become the “international language?” It didn’t happen overnight. English is closely tied to major historic events, trends, inventions, and media that connect the world today.
How English Became a Global Language
Today, English boasts the most speakers globally. But how did its reach come to extend so far?
English spread across the world as English-speaking nations expanded their influence and reach through:
- Colonization
- Immigration
- World wars
- Leadership in industry, technology, and science
- Cultural exports like music, film, and television
- The internet
The English Language’s Journey: From Local to Global
Let’s unpack this history with a look at how English grew from a local language to global powerhouse.
- British Colonization: Setting the Stage
Starting in the late 16th century, the British colonized large parts of North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. English-language schools and institutions became common in these regions.
- The Industrial Revolution: Spreading English Through Innovation
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 18th century. Machines such as the steam engine, cotton gin, and spinning jenny revolutionized mass production and manufacturing. With these new inventions came new words, which were developed and added to the English language, then became standard across many countries via Britain’s trading networks.
- Immigration: A New Generation of English Speakers
From 1880 to 1930, about 7.5 million new Americans arrived in the U.S. While many first-generation immigrants kept their native languages, often their children picked up English quickly through school and cultural immersion. English then became the language of future generations.
- American Discoveries and Inventions Go Global
Famous American inventors like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, and Samuel Morse made discoveries that changed the world. Even foreign-born inventors like Alexander Graham Bell and Nikola Tesla did their most famous work in the U.S. Electricity, cameras, cars, airplanes, and the telegraph helped spread English terms and ideas globally.
- World Wars: Fueling American Influence
Great Britain and the U.S. helped lead the Allies to victory during two world wars, raising the profile of the English language. After World War II, the U.S. funded the rebuilding of Europe through the Marshall Plan and went on to become a global leader in diplomacy, business, science, and technology.
- Technology and the Internet: English Goes Digital
They’re household names: Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Android, Google. Internationally renowned American entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are responsible for the computers, operating systems, and cell phones most of the world uses. (Kudos to Martin Cooper, who invented the cell phone for Motorola in 1973!)
- Culture and Media: English-Language Music, Movies, and TV
English-language music, movies and television shows have a huge global audience. From Elvis Presley and the Beatles to today’s Hollywood blockbusters, English is the language of pop culture.
- The Internet: English Goes Digital
Did you know 55% of websites are in English? The internet, which began as a U.S. Department of Defense project, connects people everywhere—mostly in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did English become the international language?
English spread through a mix of British colonization, the Industrial Revolution, American inventions, immigration, world wars, U.S. leadership in business and technology, cultural exports, and the rise of the internet.
- Is English the most spoken language in the world?
Yes, when you count both native speakers and those who learn English as a second language. Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers.
Earn Your Online English Degree With UTPB
The international language makes a versatile, highly marketable degree that you can use in many careers and countries. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online programs that help you master this crucial skill:
Choose your English degree program and apply today!
Other Articles You May Be Interested In:
Many of us have experienced misunderstandings due to miscommunication. For example, you might ask your partner to help with a chore around the house, shouting, “Can I get a hand?” They reply, “Be there in a minute!” But five minutes later, you’re frustrated—because to you, “a minute” means exactly 60 seconds, while to them, it…
In our modern world, there are countless mediums through which we can document our emotions regarding the human experience: photos on Instagram and shorts on YouTube, to name a few. But nothing quite reflects our highs and lows like the written word, particularly in the form of poetry. For centuries, poets have shaped the way…
“I don’t paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” —Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo’s iconic self-portraits became a mirror of her struggles and independence, portraying both physical pain (from a life-altering bus accident) and emotional torment and giving voice to women of her time who were often silenced. Kahlo’s struggles mirrored those of many female…
