ABSTRACT
English is EVERYWHERE. At least it sometimes seems that way. In fact, that is not true. Most of the people on Earth do not use English. It is by no means a universal language. Perhaps 25 percent of the earth’s population uses English for some purpose in their lives. If so, 75 percent do not. It is however interesting that often those who do use English are the best educated and the most influential members (the opinion makers) of their society. The spread, status, and functions of English around the world are impressive indeed. In recorded human history no other language has had such a position.
