I read in The Guardian recently about the possible death of the English language in the future. Although it is the first truly global language, and over 1,500 years old, the article pondered whether English could become extinct someday. Latin fell out of use after being spoken for around 2,000 years, but, while not spoken, it is still alive in the Romance languages that blossomed out of it. It didn’t die, rather it evolved.
Language is a living thing. I am sure English will continue to develop and change, and that writers, as well as speakers, will play a part in that evolution. Unlike ancient Rome, we have the internet, and millions of learners around the world. I teach ESL in South Korea and it certainly doesn’t look as if the desire to learn English will fade soon. Humans are always telling stories, and even if our language does change, we will always be entertaining and challenging each other.
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