How English evolved
How English became the language of the world:
Originally, Latin was the language of intellectuals and the language of the Christian religion. However, this was not the language spoken by most in the countries where Latin was used. People spoke their own languages and the need for consistency became essential if these languages were to thrive. The more the dialects were used by the speaking public, the more the demand for them to be recorded became evident. If teachers, priests and politicians weren’t speaking and writing in the language of the people, the people would not respond to them and so the need for a standardised English language was born.
Soldiers and sailors who spoke English settled in countries where other languages were spoken and in this way, English spread around the world. Despite this, local people continued to speak their own languages and dialects and nations who maintained their independence did not adopt English. Due to the spread of English world wide however, diplomats, businessmen and the like found English beneficial during international negotiations and the power of English as a universal language began it’s accent.
Nowadays, many music bands sing in English, despite their home language and most internet sites are written in English. Movies, if not originally in English at often sub-titled in English and so the power of this language has increased.
For a more detailed article on this topic, click here for an in depth BBC News post on which the above synopsis is based.