Who decides which words can become part of the English language?
What have been the biggest influences on English?
The English language is unusual in that it is essentially a combination of languages. There is what we call 'old English' but this was only one of the building blocks of the English we use today. English has evolved by important elements of other languages and then adapting them to create a unique hybrid.
Anglo Saxon has the largest number of words but French, Latin, Greek and German also make a significant contribution to the lexicon or vocabulary. The best writers expand our personal vocabularies. They teach us new words or use old words in new ways. Chaucer was very important in this respect. But by far the most influential writer in the English language is someone we know very little about.
Shakespeare
Try this quiz about English language. And these crosswords here and here.
Debate
'The world domination of English has a negative effect on other languages and cultures. ' Teachers: there are notes on how to organise a debate here
How many words do speakers use?How Many Words in English?Why More Words? Evolution of English Shakespeare The Bible Irregular Verbs Perfect Language Esperanto
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