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A World of Many Englishes
We've been
speaking English for more than 1000 years, and over that time
it has changed radically.
As more and more people throughout the world use English and
develop their own form of the language, Melvyn Bragg investigates
how the British version will change and which, if any, of the
many Englishes will dominate.
You may need to download
the free to hear the clips.
Global
English
English is spoken
as a first language in many countries across the world, yet
native speakers sound markedly different from place to place.
Steven Pinker of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology maintains
that these Englishes are in fact very similar. 
USA
and British English
Writer and actor
Stephen Fry, a frequent visitor to the States, wonders whether
the phrase 'two countries divided by a common language' can
be accurately applied to Britain and the USA.
Accents
Even if the
words we use are much the same, our accents are strikingly different.
Steven Pinker believes we use accents to differentiate between
people, and not only in terms of their geographical origin.
Does
English rule the world?
English is often
triumphantly hailed as the most popular global language and
the most important. Steven Pinker doesn't think this is entirely
true.
English
in the future
Our language
will continue to evolve as it has for centuries. Stephen Fry
is wary of predicting the direction this change will take, but
fears swearing faces a bleak future.
A
fluid language
While the pedants
continue trying to enforce the rules of English grammar, both
Steven Pinker and Stephen Fry are more interested in using a
living language than one set in stone.
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