Is the British Empire responsible for many of the worlds problems?

[Al B. Sure!]

Now obviously, the British spread English into their colonies, but how much was English spoken outside of their colonies? Granted, the British controlled so much that much of the spread of the English language was done in their former colonies but as for everybody else?

Why does Nikolai know English? Why do you know English, BeBro? I guarantee it has little to do with those islanders just across the sea from you and everything to do with the United States.

The 20th century saw the emergence of English as the real lingua franca (as in the language of trade, diplomacy, etc.) and that corresponds with the emergence of America as the global superpower.

[BeBMan]

Of European literature? Who the **** cares about that?

I thought trade, commerce, diplomacy, government, stuff like that is what is relevant.

Sigh:

1. Wiki says it is/was the "language of European diplomacy" up to XXX. No?

2. It also says it was a lingua franca in the field of literature, but during the 18th century.

What I don't read is that French was *the* (general) lingua franca (outside European diplomacy) in 1900, which was your claim.

[BeBMan]

Why does Nikolai know English? Why do you know English, BeBro? I guarantee it has little to do with those islanders just across the sea from you and everything to do with the United States.

Yeah, and the US speaking English has also little to do with them British guys.

[Al B. Sure!]

Yeah, and the US speaking English has also little to do with them British guys.

Only you think that would be relevant

Yes because British cultural exportation in the late 20th century was the reason for English's emergence as the global language...

So much revisionist history in this thread, it's amazing.

[Kuciwalker]

Ned, is that you?

[giblets]

The British also spread Christianity in India, which we know is the best religion because it has so many adherents because imperialists spread it everywhere.

[BeBMan]

Only you think that would be relevant

Yes because British cultural exportation in the late 20th century was the reason for English's emergence as the global language...

So much revisionist history in this thread, it's amazing.

No, British power 'round the globe *before* the late 20th century was *one* reason for English's emergence as the global language...

[Al B. Sure!]

Anyway, I'm serious about this...

Just so you all know, in American schools, we learn about the evils of European imperialism. It's a little overdone because there were good things that came out of it but all this colonialism and White Man's Burden stuff is denigrated and is seen as evil, especially in intention, even if it was a net neutral with a slight negative.

Necessary evil is about the best treatment colonialism gets.

Interesting that you Europeans think otherwise.

What's with that? You Europeans really get taught otherwise in your schools?

[Al B. Sure!]

No, British power 'round the globe *before* the late 20th century was *one* reason for English's emergence as the global language...

In the colonies! Not outside of the colonies!

And if you admit it was ONE factor which played A role, fine, I can live with that.

[Riesstiu IV]

The British also spread Christianity in India, which we know is the best religion because it has so many adherents because imperialists spread it everywhere.

Christianity has been present in India since St. Thomas traveled to Kerala in the 1st century AD.

[giblets]

Christianity has been present in since St. Thomas traveled to Kerala in the 1st century AD.

Duh. Doesn't change the fact that the majority of Christians in India today are part of western denominations.

[BeBMan]

In the colonies! Not outside of the colonies!

"In the colonies" then is "outside of the colonies" today.

[Al B. Sure!]

duh? gribbler sho is smart like a whyte suthna!

[BeBMan]

And if you admit it was ONE factor which played A role, fine, I can live with that.

I already posted "not exclusively" earlier

[Riesstiu IV]

Duh. Doesn't change the fact that the majority of Christians in India today are part of western denominations.

You implied the British spread Christianity throughout India, which really isn't true. Most Indian Christians are Catholics thanks to Portuguese and French missionaries or some variation of eastern orthodoxy.