Jacco said:
It is also very, very good at conveying complex ideas (which is part of the reason it is used for science) that other languages can't always articulate as precisely.
That is false. It is mostly used in science because of the large amounts of researchers that work in USA, and made that shift around the second half of the twentieth century. Before that German was widely used, as was French, nad Latin before any of those. Speaking fluently 3 languages and basic to intermidiate level in other 2, well all those seem to be equally able to convey complex ideas, it is just a matter of lexicon (in science) and enough learning to be able to express yourself. I can talk about science in those three (well, I kind of lack the expresions used in Catalan, but those should be easy to learn) and can read divulgation texts in French, and all those are perfectly good for science.
ABout a Lingua Franca? Well, it would indeed be nice to be able to go to anywhere and speak a single language. SHould English be that language? Well, it is the nearest to it, but I'm not sure. English can be either seen really hard or simple: Hard because of the inconsistent grammar and messy pronunciation (there are several extra vowels and consonants compered to other languages and the combination there-of) it is not easy to learn. On the other hand, it is maleable (creation of new words and verbes is relatively easy) and some of its grammar is easier than other langages (verbs are easier than in almost any other language I've learned and lack of gender concordance). Is it hard or easy? Well, I'm not sure, I've been hearing it most of my life, so it is easy that way. Also, to those that say there are no tonal difference in English, think about beach and sheet and their non-polite counterparts. Or read and read (past and present) as a complication for learnign Enlish phonetics.
English isn't more fragmented than any other language that I've seen. And neither it has more double entendres than others (for example, in Mexico it is common for two men to have a conversation just in double entendres called albures).
But sayign that matching genders is French is hard, well, it is probably because you are not used to it, as most of other Western languages do it, meaning it is very easy to learn. But the phonetics of French are complex, having I think, something around five different O's, for example. Germans long and winding structure, as well as a bit archaic nature aren't that simple for foreigners, but is has a very regular form of expresion. Spanish has easier phonetics and regular grammar, but it is not without it's exceptions and quirks that aren't trivial to learn (extra phonemas for a couple of expresions, "strange" spelling rules, stress rules). And that is only some Western languages. Japanese has a very basic grammar that can be learned in a few moments (for basic understanding) and easy phonetics, but has a complex writing system among other nuances (a very strong division between formal and informal, more than the otehrs that I now). SO there are no easy languages to learn in my opinion. They all have complications that can make learning even basics hard for people. Personal experience aside, I doubt there is a universaly easy langage to learn.
So a Lingua Franca seems hard to come by. Even educated peopke aren't going tobe able to learn the Lingua Franca, because fo the different learning methods for each person means that unless you are constantly sorounded by the language (which unless it is a part of the local culture doesn't happen that often) there will be a respectable amount of the population that won't learn it. Teaching in Elementary school isn't the solution either, as un-prepared teachers, lack of constant reinforcement and other factors means that even though children are being thought, thre is no warantee they will carry it into adulthood. Spain, Italy adn Switzerland you can find people that have probably had years of ENlgish but are unable to communicate freely in tha language.
rednose1 said:
I think English is moving towards becoming a universal language all on it's own.
One of the biggest misconceptions I had in the Navy was I wouldn't be able to converse with people in other countries. Found out, every single country I went to, people spoke English (also accepted U.S.A currency everywhere, another thing I learned.)
Granted, that was mostly Europe, with a few stops Dubai & Bahrain in the Middle East, and Turkey in Asia, but the extent to which English was present surprised me greatly. Even basic signs were in English.
The British empire (and now America) spread English everywhere in the world. Given time, it may become the default language, working towards that goal now with no interference.
Did you stray far from you base? Becasue near, locals tend to learn English to be able to do business with the stationed troops, for a given radius. The areas most travelled and around the military bases aren't really showing of the standard level of English in mos countries.
Ah, and one last point. WHile yes, English is the most used in air travel, local flights are usually in the local kanguage, not in English. Also most flights have either two or three languages spoken, English, but also that of one or two of the countries you are travelling between. WHile you are acquainted with one of those you can speak in airlines without problems.
