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The article is succinct in its explanation as to why one language encloses its users and limits their abilities and opportunities. Language use is indeed a necessity in both the economic and social communications, and thus, anything that renders it weak should be addressed effectively. However, the world has particularly moved away from languages instead of getting people to embrace not only their native language but diversify in other languages As a way to appreciate civilizations and accommodate other interactions that vary in their dialects to that of our own. For instance, the article notes that in schools modern languages have become twilight languages where “You study them on your own when the school is out” (Hofman 2). Therefore, the effect of sticking to a single language does not only compromise it’s quality regarding pronunciation, grammar, accents amongst other components but also locks out other languages that may be used by individuals to complement their native language.
Hofman, the author of the article, singles out English and writes it in the context of the British people. He likens a single language to a person’s skin. In the case of the skin, one has only one and is encased in it for the rest of his life. The analogy exposes the versatility of language that Britain has and their reluctance in learning new languages. By this, he urges the Britons to learn other languages apart from their mother tongue. He also cautions that if they continue development their disinterest in language, their language will become alien to them as they are not giving sufficient time to its study and growth.

The author considers that the world is diverse regarding the economic. Every person is in charge of their life after school and might have to deal with other people that are not English. Here, the other languages learned will be helpful in facilitating communication and ultimately improving the economic aspect of an individual. Learning institutions, for instance, should ensure that the students going through their systems are well-equipped with the foreign languages for their success in the world after school.
Notably, the article discredits the notion of English as the supreme language the world over. The Author specifically terms it a clueless language as it is currently constituted. It establishes that Britain is headed for destruction following the uninformed experimentation of the English language that the Britons are taking it through. The assertion means that the English language needs other languages for its continuity. Its study and improvement are important and therefore cannot take place without the involvement of foreign languages. In this case, English, just like any other language requires extensive research for those that study it so that they can establish its areas of weaknesses as eliminate them appropriately. Here, English is akin an egoistic individual who discredits other people’s role in his or her growth. Such an individual talks of his greatness forgetting that his greatness is in relation to all the other people around him. Therefore, Britain should take a step back and consider the implications that disregarding other languages have on its growth and development. The ultimate involvement of foreign languages is thus, the only way that the English language can take the coveted position across the globe.
The article depicts the British as people that have a condescending attitude against other languages hence their unwillingness to learn them. The author particularly uses the term ‘so-called World Language’ to show that the British think that there is no other popular language other than English in the whole world. Their belief fosters the attitude that they do not need to learn any other language since the entire world can tune to this language. However, the article argues that a language position in the world does not discredit any other language in the world. In fact, civilization calls for people to learn each other language to encourage good communication. Further, learning other languages is good for business for the Britons as it is for any other people. For instance, it is only prudent to use an associate’s language when trying to close a deal with them. It does not only make the person feel appreciated but also earns the interaction the credibility that is much required for its sustenance. Moreover, changing the attitude rescues the Britons from the cocoon of their comfort zone enabling them to rise in positions and also increase their bargaining power in the global economic scales.
The author of the article uses statistics to promote clarity and understanding of the article’s assertions. For instance, he states that only 7% of the world’s population speak English as the first language. Moreover, he states that 75% of the world’s population does not speak English (Hofman 2). By the statistics, the author seeks to establish that English is not as supreme as earlier thought. Additionally, the figures show that by Sticking to English alone, British is missing out on engaging more than 75% of the people in the world that are not conversant with English. They, therefore, emphasizes that British is wrong in assuming that she has the world at its helm through the English language. Further, it shows that the English enclose themselves in a Language of convenience that ultimately inhibits her growth across the world. With English as the sole language in Britain, opportunities for its citizens continue to reduce. The statistics, therefore, establish that for the British to be civilized and continue their influence across the world, they have to learn foreign languages.
Finally, the author uses logic to ensure that the readers understand the message of the text. He builds facts systematically and provides a logical analysis of the situation in such a way that the readers not only read and understand the content but are also empowered to learn foreign languages for their benefits, the article starts by establishing that teaching of modern languages is not prioritized in the country. It then documents the importance of talking to people in their own language especially when dealing with economic matters and the respect attached to the seemingly simple act. The article then argues explicitly that blind experiments on the English language are pathways to destruction and argues that involving other languages solves the problem and also improve the potential of Britons in the global arena. The article also involves statistics that shows the limitations of English language, which makes it necessary to learn other languages for continued influence. Finally, through the accumulation of logic, the author finishes off his argument by stating that the British are obligated to learn other languages as the foreigners learn English. Failure to do so appears hateful to other languages but learning them are good signs of courtesy, mutuality, fairness in exchange, and courtesy (Hofman 3).
Works Cited
Hofmann, Michael. “Our failure to speak foreign languages should shame us. It’s not civilized.” The Observer, 14 Aug. 2010, pp. 2-3.