Struggled to open eye lids as the sunlight creeped in. When I finally took a peek at my iPhone - "4 new messages", in English.
Get changed and walked passed the dining table, noticed that "The Straits Times" was already brought in - English.
Stared at the advertisement while waiting for my bus - English.
Said "Good morning" to a friend when we met at school - English.
Attended a lecture on "Financial Accounting" - English.
Overheard classmates' conversations outside of class - English.
Ordered a plate of chicken rice for lunch - English.
Worked on a group report that had a deadline in a couple of days - English.
Called Mum to confirm our family dinner that evening - English.
Submitted an appeal online for recent traffic offence - English.
Watched the latest episode of "Modern Family" - English.
Sending a last "Goodnight" text before hitting the sack - English.
The above events are a summary of my day in chronological order. If you were to pause for a moment and give some thought about your daily routines or a typical day of yours, are you able to pinpoint that one day where you did not use any form of the English language?
Well you do not have to rack your brains any further. Such a day does not exist, period.
Being a Singaporean, English has automatically become our first language. Before we start schooling at the age of 5, everyone of us is already exposed to this language.
My summary above has clearly showed how English has become a part of my lifestyle. In today's globalised society, where English has dominated and became the world's most widely spoken language (Hammond, 2014), it is inevitable to live a day without using this language. People of all ages, be it schooling, picking up an instrument, working, playing a game of chess - the use of English can be narrowed down to a single, significant purpose - communication.
In a nutshell, if this language is not important, there will not be a need to write this post at all.
(348 words)
Sources:
http://blog.esl-languages.com/blog/learn-languages/english/english-language-global-number-one/
Wow! that is impressive, a very interesting post that clearly reflected the importance of English.
ReplyDeleteI like the organization and the sense of humor very much, it will be very outstanding if compared to other articles discussing about the importance of English, enjoyed! Thank you!
Hi Jovyn!
ReplyDeleteI literally LOL-ed the moment I read your first sentence. What you mentioned was spot-on, English in this day and age is indisputably important. I liked how you repeatedly mentioned "English" at the end of your sentences as this indirectly places an emphasis on the importance of English.
However essential English is, there are still countries who do not use English as their main medium of communication e.g. Japan, Korea and countries in the middle east. This does not mean that they are not as globalised, it may simply be due to their history and culture. What do you think?
Keep up the good work!
Very nice illustration of how pervasive and essential English is in our lives. Although it might be hasty to generalise that everyone uses English in our every waking moment, it was still an interesting take on the importance of English! Like what Zimin said, most spoken does not necessarily mean most used!
ReplyDeleteThis is a highly creative post, Jovyn. As other readers have mentioned, you do a fine job of listing reasons why English is ubiquitous in the lives of those of us who inhabit this tiny island. Zimin brings up a good point in her response about how others in the globalized world use English less perhaps, but even then an argument can be made about the language's relevance. For instance, airline pilots worldwide -- be that in Korea or Japan or elsewhere -- communicate to each other, and to air traffic control, in English. Singaporeans, in my estimation, are lucky that your country's founders saw great value in the learning and propagation of English.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, thank you for initiating such a discussion in your post.
There are some minor problems that you need to rectify:
1) Being a Singaporean, English has automatically become our first language. > Do you see the problem in this sentence?
2) English has dominated and became ... > (verb tense inconsistency)
3) ...it is inevitable to live a day without using this language. > meaning? (not what you think, I guess...)
4) People of all ages, be it schooling, picking up an instrument, working, playing a game of chess ... > 'People of all ages' is not supported by the noun phrases that follow. You actually need to illustrate that example with people, be they in school, at tuition, working, playing, etc.
See the difference?
I look forward to reading more of your writing.