Obama, wtf...

[G.Irish]

confucious also probably said you don't have to know something to know about something. I spent a lot of time studying languages at one time in my life, indeed. I don't have a degree in any language but mathematics, though. I never said English was the only exacting z0mg language ever, what I am saying though, is that there is a reason so many people speak it,

The reason so many speak English has almost zero to do with the inherent merit of the language. It has everything to do with the British empire coming to prominence and spreading the language around the world, then later, the economic success of the United States. The economic success of both of those countries was due to a lot of factors from favorable geography and natural resources to the chance outcomes of wars. It wasn't because other countries were handicapped by their 'inferior' languages. Had the Spanish Armada defeated the English fleet we very well may be speaking Spanish right now.

If I spoke a clicking language, obviously I would understand it. If it was my native tongue, would I be able to communicate as effectively, efficiently, and expressively? Probably not.

English is certainly not the easiest language to learn. And even then, the ease of learning a language is dependent on what your first language is. If your first language was Korean you'd have a much easier time learning Japanese or Chinese than would a Spanish speaker.

Looking at English's homophones, special pronunciation rules, irregular verbs it is certainly not an easy language to learn. I can look at a Japanese word and tell you 10 times out of 10 how to pronounce it even though I'm a beginner in the language. You absolutely cannot do that with English.

Sure English has the largest vocabulary, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is the 'best' language and it certainly doesn't mean that speaking English confers some sort of inherent advantage independent of who speaks it.

[BLINGMW]

That's why they receive $1.64 billion of economic aid from us annually? Because they are doing so well?

When I read this I was like, they better not!
So I looked it up, the WORLD BANK... LENDS them 1.64 billion, and the World Bank is like 15% us. So that's a little different. Unless what I'm looking at is BS? (could be)

[Ole]

World Bank, IMF and others. The statement is that they receive it, whereby the US is a donor to the tune $23 billion.

[Ole]

If you look at poverty levels in the US vs. China, one would think that China is doing better (8% vs. our est. of 12%) however, China defines poverty as somone earning leass than $92/yr. Yes that is per year! Vewy twicky indeed.

[HAULN-SS]

confucious also probably said you don't have to know something to know about something. I spent a lot of time studying languages at one time in my life, indeed. I don't have a degree in any language but mathematics, though. I never said English was the only exacting z0mg language ever, what I am saying though, is that there is a reason so many people speak it,

The reason so many speak English has almost zero to do with the inherent merit of the language. It has everything to do with the British empire coming to prominence and spreading the language around the world, then later, the economic success of the United States. The economic success of both of those countries was due to a lot of factors from favorable geography and natural resources to the chance outcomes of wars. It wasn't because other countries were handicapped by their 'inferior' languages. Had the Spanish Armada defeated the English fleet we very well may be speaking Spanish right now.

This sounds good, except for the fact that in 1066 the norman invasion completely DID completely conquer the government and church in England. By your logic, we should be speaking French. The most that came out of that was a supplement to our language, not a replacement.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://members.tripod.com/~GeoffBoxell/words.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~GeoffBoxell/words.htm</a><!-- m -->

An interesting read on the subject, and he makes part of the point i've been going after all along -> The ability to say somthing has a nice aroma, compared to just being able to say it "stinks" is something nice in this language, and allows us a more exact picture of the particular smell. Arguments that it's confusing to have so many words that mean basically the same thing doesn't work, I don't think. It's just another tool in the arsenal of a better language.

[CaptainHenreh]

LOL!

Are you comparing the norman invasion to the british empire?

[BLINGMW]

...however, China defines poverty as somone earning leass than $92/yr. Yes that is per year! Vewy twicky indeed.

While at the same time, we define poverty as having less than 2 televisions, one used car and a house without central AC! OH NOES! :lol:

[Apoc]

....... they spoke English because they wanted to sell us their shit.

...and become successful....

...unless they're Chinese, who don't need us and are doing quite well without English.

That's why they receive $1.64 billion of economic aid from us annually? Because they are doing so well?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/notesanddefs.html#2064">https://www.cia.gov/library/publication ... .html#2064</a><!-- m -->

They got $1.64 in total assistance, including IMF and the World Bank. China got $1.8 million from us in 2006.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fas.org/asmp/profiles/aid/fy2006/CBJAccountsum.pdf">http://www.fas.org/asmp/profiles/aid/fy ... untsum.pdf</a><!-- m -->

It's not like aid is need based anyway... Israel got $240 million from the US in the same year (excluding military support).

[Ole]

and $500,000 just this year in disaster relief alone. Your welcome!

simple math: receive 1.64billion vs. donate 23 billion means that we may be doing a little bit better.

[HAULN-SS]

LOL!

Are you comparing the norman invasion to the british empire?

No, I am going back a little further, and pointing out the flaw in the argument that the one-time lesser nation would convert to the language of the conqueror.

[Apoc]

simple math: receive 1.64billion vs. donate 23 billion means that we may be doing a little bit better.

Simplistic and narrow-minded at best. He who has the most money isn't necessarily the winner. Besides, I said they were doing just fine without English and I'd say they are since they're #3 in GDP... above ~gasp~ other English speaking countries!

[HAULN-SS]

With ~gasp~ 3.5x the population!

[Apoc]

With ~gasp~ 3.5x the population!

God you're predictable.

Here are the top 20 by per capita GDP.. how many speak English?

Qatar
Luxembourg
Norway
Brunei
Singapore
US
Ireland
Switzerland
Kuwait
Iceland
Netherlands
Canada
Austria
Denmark
UAE
Sweden
Australia
Finland
Belgium
UK

[G.Irish]

confucious also probably said you don't have to know something to know about something. I spent a lot of time studying languages at one time in my life, indeed. I don't have a degree in any language but mathematics, though. I never said English was the only exacting z0mg language ever, what I am saying though, is that there is a reason so many people speak it,

The reason so many speak English has almost zero to do with the inherent merit of the language. It has everything to do with the British empire coming to prominence and spreading the language around the world, then later, the economic success of the United States. The economic success of both of those countries was due to a lot of factors from favorable geography and natural resources to the chance outcomes of wars. It wasn't because other countries were handicapped by their 'inferior' languages. Had the Spanish Armada defeated the English fleet we very well may be speaking Spanish right now.

This sounds good, except for the fact that in 1066 the norman invasion completely DID completely conquer the government and church in England. By your logic, we should be speaking French. The most that came out of that was a supplement to our language, not a replacement.

Way to miss the boat, the water, and the ocean. A major part of why English is widespread is because of the reach of the British Empire, and later the power of the United States. Had Spain been the preeminent power in Europe from 1400 on then Spanish would have had an even wider reach. As is, Spanish is the dominant language of South and Central America.

[HAULN-SS]

Per capita GDP doesnt mean much. 7 of those countries speak english, what is their gross GDP compared to the rest of the world?

[JackoliciousLegs]

Hey, you still haven't answered my question. How much time abroad? How many languages do you speak?

[Apoc]

Per capita GDP doesnt mean much. 7 of those countries speak english, what is their gross GDP compared to the rest of the world?

Wait so gross doesn't matter for China because it has 3.5x the population but "per capita GDP doesn't mean much" because these countries don't have a high gross?

Do you even read what you type?
I thought you were done?

[HAULN-SS]

It's quite a ridiculous question, which doesn't need a second answer. You don't have to know something to know about that something.

[G.Irish]

It's quite a ridiculous question, which doesn't need a second answer. You don't have to know something to form a wild-assed opinion.

Fixed.

[HAULN-SS]

I am just saying that your ranking of the countries by any kind of GDP is inadequate because it is so skewed. The U.S. and those other english speaking countries output a little less than half of the world GDP.