What is the use of English ?

Reardon-James reflects on the use of the English language. The English language has an extensive range of uses, both for good and ill. Originally a West Germanic language, English is evolving and ever-changing, influenced by Latin, French, Dutch and Afrikaans amongst others. She explores some of its uses from her experiences as an English practitioner in further education, teacher of adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and trainer of English tutors. It is also written from the perspective of a person born in Wales, attending English medium schooling during the 1980s, with Welsh learnt as a second language. It is important to state that throughout modern history the English language has been used as a weapon of oppression, associated with empire, colonialism and the quashing of native languages to gain control of a geographical area or country.