THE WORLD OF ENGLISH

These countries are all part of the English-speaking world. 2.3 billion people in 50 countries.

THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD.

British explorers and traders travelled to discover new places: Africa, Asia, America and the Pacific. The new coutries they discovered became part of the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria (19th century).

EMIGRATION IN 19th and 20th CENTURIES. From the UK a lot of people went to these new countries. They took their language and their way of life with them from Britain.

But also a lot of colonies citizens (Indians, Pakistanis and Caribbeans) came to the UK to have a better life and more job opportunities. They already spoke English and they knew British culture, but, at the beginning, life for them was very difficult because of the weather, the different food and culture they had.

THE COMMONWEALTH

Some countries became independant from the British Empire after the World War II but they kept their links with Britain. The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent states formed by the United Kingdom and most of its ex-colonies.

LINKS They have the British parliamentary and legal systems. People drive on the left. They have the same sporting traditions: cricket, rugby and hockey.

The British Empire made English a global language. .English-speaking countries are very different, but the English language is the common factor. .

Today people speak English in over 50 countries in the world Today people speak English in over 50 countries in the world. It's the language of international politics, business, science, technology and travel. But The English language took some words from the local languages of its colonies: - pyjama and shampoo from India, - kangaroo from Australia, - banana from Africa.