Roles of English

A.    Roles of English at Present

In this Modern world, English is so important for most people as it is the language for communicating themselves to the others. In our daily activities, we must find English used everywhere; in using computer; we must find English used as the language, we also can find English in some studies, such as Economics, Physics, Biology, etc, and even we also can find English in songs, movies, or others. Therefore, English is so important.

In Indonesia, English has been taught since primary with the purpose some Indonesians can speak English well and they can improve the country by using their knowledge, science, and even language. Why can it happen? At first, English is used as the language in science and knowledge. If some people want to know more about knowledge and science, they must know English. Even, some newest information connected to science and knowledge, it must use English. Therefore, if people have the capability of English, they must be capable in knowledge or science also. English can be the language of knowledge or science was started since James Watt invented something (boiler) in 1600’s. The invention of James Watt’s has made Industrial revolution in England. Since then, some other scientists invented something in their own fields, such as biology, chemistry, economy, etc. Then, because some knowledge and science were formed or developed in England, some terms or language used in some fields were English until now.

Even, in computer literary, some terms are in English. They cannot be translated into Bahasa Indonesia. Although it can be translated into Bahasa Indonesia, but the meanings will be different or it is hard to understand.

Task:

Try to develop all the computer terms below to become some sentences and then translate them into Bahasa Indonesia, you will find why English is so important for knowledge or science

- Motherboard               - Peripherals                  - notebook                     - internet

- card                             - Modulator   Demodulator                                - Video Graphic Adapter

- mouse                         - Keyboard                    - Installation                  - Download

- Upload                        - network                      - internet                        - processor

After developing the terms above and then try to translate the meaning in you will know that some English terms sound ridiculous if we translate them into English in different context. The language  phenomena do not occur in computer only, but it is also in the other fields. That is why English can be called as Scientific language.  

Then, English is also as standard variety for the world or it is as the second language for people. It means, to whom we speak with (foreigners), or even when we go to the other countries, we must use English as the tool of communication although they do not use English in their countries.

Task: Chat with the foreigners (in whatever states they are) by using: Indonesia and English. You can find that they do not understand your language but they will know English although they do not use English in their daily activities.

Last, English is as International language (formal language) besides French, German, Chinese, Arabic, etc. In some International meetings, conferences, others, mostly will use English as the language.