Why more words in English?

The linguist Richard Lederer believes that the English language is the most 'democratic' in history. By this he means that the users of English help change and improve it. This is because English:
  • easily imports words from other languages, cultures and traditions.
  • "the relative simplicity of its grammar and syntax.”

How many English words do you need?


There are different opinions on this question. Lederer has suggested that a typical English speaker has a vocabulary of between 10,000 and 20,000 words. Steven Pinker talks of 60,000 ‘by high school’.

There is, of course, a difference between our passive and active language. Passive language is the language we know but perhaps do not use.

There are many words we recognise but perhaps do not say or write. Active language is those word we use.



How Many Words?
Why More Words?
Evolution of English
Shakespeare
The Bible
Irregular Verbs
Perfect Language
Esperanto



Try this quiz about English language. And these crosswords here and here.


Debate

Debate this statement or motion:
'The world domination of English has a negative effect on other languages and cultures. '

Teachers: there are notes on how to organise a debate
here