Don't believe that English is, or will be, the international language. I live in London and if anyone says to me that everyone speaks English, my answer is, listen and look around. So, if everyone in London is not speaking English, then the whole question of a global language is completely open.

Even as a native English speaker, I say the promulgation of English as the world's lingua franca is impractical and undemocratic. It's impractical because communication should be for all, not only for an educational or political elite; it's undemocratic because minority languages are under attack worldwide due to the encroachment of majority ethnic languages. Even Mandarin Chinese is trying to dominate. A long-term solution must be found. A nonnational language that places all ethnic languages on an equal footing is essential.

brian barker