The text discusses the past, present, and future trajectory of the English language, focusing on factors that have influenced its spread, growth, and transformation.

• Lingua Franca: a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different. For example, English in international business.
• Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means. British imperialism greatly contributed to the spread of English.
• Bilingualism: The ability to speak two languages fluently. The rise in bilingualism could influence the evolution of English.

• Imperialism: The spread of the English language began with exploration, colonization, and imperialism by the British Empire. The U.S also contributed to this spread in the late 1800s.

  Real-world example: After British colonial rule in India, English remained a means of communication among Indians who spoke different native languages.

• Trade: The language of goods and services spreads with global trade. The increase in global trade has increased the need for a common language.

• Technology: The main language of the internet is English. The growth of technology has boosted the spread of English.

  Real-world example: We mostly use English while searching online, communicating on social platforms, or coding in many programming languages.

• Education: As the world becomes more interconnected, education has followed suit. The spread of English is also fueled by its use as a lingua franca in academia.