Theme: ‘English - A Bridge to Other Worlds’
English, a language which can be described as a journeyman, travelling thousands of miles from its origin and through time, evolving from a language only used by the lowly, to one that is widely used in this modern society. Out of approximately 230,000 words in the English language, one may wonder why ‘journeyman’ is used to describe this language. Just like Marco Polo who travelled around the world and shared his sights with his countrymen, the English language has indeed paved a way for us to explore the countless different ‘worlds’ we have in this green and blue marble in the galaxy.
We have English as a universal language for communication just as we have universal indicators for use in the sciences. As the word ‘universal’ indicates, it is used and understood by all. This powerful language tears down the barriers between countries in this sphere where human beings reside. Take for example; if a English man has no knowledge on the Chinese language, it would be near impossible for him to survive in China, for the locals would deem his language as alien and vice versa. However, we now live in an era where businessmen conduct business around the world, setting up their companies in foreign land. For example, the Expo 2010 will be held in Shanghai, China, and many countries from all parts of the world will be stepping forward to participate in it. I believe, unlike the English man mentioned earlier, the delegates would have no problem in communicating with each other. The world has indeed become more interconnected, with the English language acting as the bridge. Without it, the world would not be at the high stature it is in now, and instead be in the slums.
As the saying goes ‘curiosity kills the cat’, yet many people still thirst to know more. The world is vast, and countless languages and dialects are spoken across the globe. How will one be able to be fluent in every tongue in order to acquire the knowledge he desires? If a student were to do a research on Korea, would he be able to obtain the information he needs efficiently if he had to spend hours exhausting his brain cells in order to decipher the Korean language which has 24 Hangul characters which line up to form many different words. Yet, due to the rising up of the English language, we have access to information from all parts of the world. Even with Wikipedia, the clattering of fingers on the universal keyboard and the click of the mouse will expose you to a well of knowledge. Language will no longer be the trigger to ‘excess denied’ when one seeks knowledge, thus English bridging into the world of inexhaustible knowledge.
Would a typical Singaporean know of Hitler and his rule if the English language did not exist? Would historians be able to decipher what a Reichstag (elected parliament) was? The answer is definitely a no. The only reason that local Singaporean students are able to study the history of Germany, Russia, China and many other countries, and indulge in books that portray the rich history of those countries, is that the English language exists. It opens a window to the past, giving us a chance to learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, and an opportunity to create a better future for the next generation. It is the bridge that links the past, present and the future, just like the time machine that humans fantasise about.
Have you ever felt confused when your baby goes “googoo gaagaa” when he wants something? Have you ever felt frustrated when your baby cries incessantly and you no clue what he wants? Yet when the child learns a few words of the English language, for example: milk, mummy and daddy, everything once foggy becomes crystal clear, albeit the imperfect speech. This is when the English language erects a bridge between the minds of the parents and the child, removing the walls which prevent the parents and their child from understanding each other. This opens up the world of a child to his parents and vice versa.
In conclusion, English is indeed a language which has turned from a frog to a prince. It has opened up our eyes to the various worlds we have in our world. Though there are many worlds hidden out of sight, I’m certain that the English language would eventually reach out to those lost worlds, and build bridges and bonds that will unite us as one human race, one human family.
Pearly Melody Foo
10S01
(HAHA. wrote this for english week essay competition :D won 3rd! LOL.)
