Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:- The communicative power of the English language

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:-
The communicative power of the English language
Once it used to be said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire". This meant that the British
Empire covered all the time zones, so that when the sun was setting on one part of the Empire, it
was rising on another.
The same thing can be said about the English language today. English is spoken as a first language
in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
It is also spoken in the Caribbean countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana among
others. In addition to this, English is used as a second language in over fifty countries spread across
Africa and Asia. This means that when you have a good command of English you can enjoy the
writings of people from all over the world, and you can communicate your ideas beyond the
borders of this continent.
We in East Africa embraced the English language accidentally through the colonial experience.
English came in as a welcome addition to our already rich language situation of over forty local
languages and Kiswahili. In fact the majority of Kenyans today are multilingual. They use at least
three languages: a local language, Kiswahili and English. A good number of others speak a fourth
language which may be either French, Spanish, German, Japanese or Arabic among others.
The local or ethnic language bonds a person to the history, culture and religious traditions of his or
her people. If you speak one of the ethnic languages, for example, you are able to enjoy the songs,
dances, stories, proverbs and riddles in that language. It also helps you to communicate with the
older folks who may not understand English or Kiswahili.
Kiswahili is the national language in Kenya and is used by people from all the ethnic groups. When
one speaks and understands Kiswahili, one can communicate with people from all over Kenya.
Kiswahili is in fact a "regional language", because it is spoken in a number of countries in East and
Central Africa. Lately, Kiswahili was indeed adopted as one of the working languages at African
Union meetings. Kiswahili, therefore, opens opportunities beyond the borders of Kenya.
After Kenya attained independence, English was retained as the official language because it was,
and still is, a great advantage for many of our operations. Though the original speakers of English
were the people living in the British Isles, English is now spoken as a first language in two other
continents, North America and Australia. It is also the second language for millions of people
living all over the world. Therefore, with English you can be
at home anywhere in the world. English provides us with a powerful link to the global village.
Recent developments in modern technology have enhanced our ability to speak, read, write and
understand English well. Many of the computer programmes available, for example, are made to
respond to instruction given in English.
English is also important for participation at the international level. Many reports and records on
recent developments, science and other special research are in English. There is much more written
literature in English than there is in any other language. Therefore, a student who can read and
write English well is at an advantage.
In international news broadcasting, users of English are greatly advantaged. The prominent
international news networks broadcast in English. English thus enjoys a prestigious position in the
communication of events taking place in the world.
For those who want to be part of what is happening in the world, English is a very important tool.
What does this mean for those of us in Africa and Asia, where English is learned mainly in school?
There is need to put a lot of effort in the teaching and learning of this language so that we can be
part of the vast changes taking place in the world today.

Questions
1. What is the meaning of the clause “the sun never sets on the British Empire?”
2. In which region is English spoken as a second language, according to the passage?
3. State two advantages that a person who has a good command of the English language has
4. How did English come to East Africa?
5. Why is East Africa and particularly Kenya referred to as having a rich language situation?
6. What is the benefit of being able to speak one of the ethnic languages in East Africa?
7. What is the official language in Kenya?
8. How is English useful in modern developments in technology?
9. What makes a student who knows English to be at an advantage over one who doesn’t know?
10. What can speakers of English in Africa and Asia do to avoid missing out in what is happening in the
world today?
11. What is the meaning of the following words according to the passage?
a) Multilingual……
b) Adopted……
c) Prominent……
d) Vast……

1. The clause “the sun never sets on the British Empire” means the British covers all time zones, so
that when the sun is setting on one part of the empire, it is rising on another. (tense could be
past or present, as long as it is maintained throughout the answer)
2. English is spoken as a second language in over fifty countries spread across Africa and Asia
3. The advantages are:
i. The person can enjoy writings of people all over the word
ii. The person can communicate his/her ideas beyond the borders of their continent (this
continent/Africa)
4. English came to East Africa accidentally through the colonial experience
5. East Africa and particularly Kenya is referred to as having a rich language situation since the
inhabitants have got over forty local languages and in addition they use Kiswahili and English
6. The benefits of being able to speak at least one of the ethnic languages in East Africa is that the
language bonds a person to the culture and traditions of the people and one is also able to enjoy
songs, dances, stories, proverbs and riddles in that language
7. The official language in Kenya is English
8. English is useful in modern developments in technology as it is used while making computer
programmes or many computer programmes are made to respond to instructions given in
English
9. A student who knows English is at an advantage as there is much more written literature in English
than there is in any other language
10. To avoid missing out on what is happening in the world today, speakers of English in Africa and
Asia need to put a lot of effort in the teaching and learning of this language.
11. a) Multilingual – Able to speak several languages well
b) Adopted – Legally made a part of the accepted items when it was not part before
c) Prominent – Well known, important
d) Vast – Extremely large

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Kavungya answered the question on November 21, 2022 at 08:55

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