English Language Day

English Language Day History

English Language Day aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. This day also seeks to encourage multilingualism, as well as celebrate the beauty, versatility and extensive influence of the English language. These celebrations extend to all its spheres, including literature, communication, business, science, and various forms of entertainment.

Though English Language Day is a global event, it holds specific relevancy in South Africa given the rich linguistic diversity there. South Africa boasts eleven official languages, with English being one of them. To understand the significance of English in this setting, it is essential to delve into the country's history. During the colonial era, English was primarily used as a means of communication and later retained for administrative and educational purposes post-independence. Today, while not the most spoken language, it is a lingua franca, enabling communication across diverse ethnic and linguistic boundaries.

Observing English Language Day in South Africa is not necessarily tied to grand ceremonies or public holidays. It is primarily celebrated in educational institutions where various activities are arranged to boost the understanding and proficiency of the English language among students. Many institutions propose debates, quizzes, poetry recitals, and essay-writing competitions that revolve around English literature's historical evolution and its contemporary kinetics. English Language Day is observed globally on April 23, a day that coincides with the death and birth anniversary of William Shakespeare, a pivotal figure in the English language's development.

Facts about English Language Day

• There are six total working languages among the UN community and five other language days. They are: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
• There are approximately 106 total countries that use English as a first-language and some 339 million first-language speakers (i.e. it is their first and primary language spoken) worldwide.
• The English language can trace its origins back to the year 450 when invading German tribes spoke a similar language. The language of this time period came to be referred to as Old English. Native English speakers today would have trouble understanding it, as it has many differences to what we now consider the English language.
• The first recorded use of English in South Africa was by the British settlers who arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1820.
• South African English has a flavor of its own, with many words borrowed from Afrikaans and African languages. For example, the words "braai" (barbeque), "ubuntu" (compassion and humanity), "veld" (open grassland) are unique to South African English.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for English Language Day

Top things to do in South Africa for English Language Day

• Volunteer at a local English Second Language center that provides incoming immigrants with language training. Many of these centers operate with volunteers and you can help the learners practice their English.
• Visit Bookstores: Exclusive Books is the biggest bookstore in South Africa that stocks books from all around the world. A trip to the bookstore to explore English literature can be a good way to celebrate English Language Day.
• Read a book to learn more about the English Language in South Africa:
  1) South African English: A Sociolinguistic Investigation - by Ruth Poulos.
  2) A History of South Africa - by Leonard Thompson and Lynn Berat - it covers vast historical events that shaped South Africa and influenced the language.