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English & the Internet

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English – the universal language of the Internet

Generally speaking, English is the universal language on the Internet, but it has no official status, and it will never have. In truth it is really a vague collection of languages called “English” because the common origin was the national language of England. The variants are considerable.
So how did this happen, why is it so?
Well, firstly the Internet was the concept of a US Military research division DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency), as a means to share information on defence research between involved universities and defence research facilities. Also as a method of communication that could be used in the event of a nuclear first strike on the US mainland.
Less than 5 years ago 90% of computers connected to the Internet were located in English speaking countries and more than 80% of all home pages on the web were written in English.
Interestingly, whilst computers connected to the internet located in native English speaking countries has declined to around 63%, the home page percentage remains similar to that of 5 years ago.
Today more than 80% of all international organisations use English as either their main, or one of their main, operating languages.
The highest use of the Internet in non-English speaking countries, such as Malaysia, is in the urban areas, partly because of infrastructure availability. However these areas also have a rapidly increasing “middle class” who understand the need for the basic tool of the English language to enhance their children’s educational opportunities.
Generally speaking, when a language has got to the position of a universal language, the position tends to be affirmed and extended by itself. It becomes self perpetuating. Since "everyone" knows and uses English, people are almost forced to learn English and use it, and learn it better.
So, in many

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