The Birth of a Global Language Esperanto was invented in the late 19th century as an artificial second language for global communication. English emerged as a dominant global language through natural selection and economic development, especially in America.
American Influence on English America's economic growth led to the spread of American English words and phrases such as 'well-heeled,' 'go-getter,' and 'assembly line.' The influence extended to building architecture, hotel terminology, and everyday vocabulary differences between British and American English.
Resistance to American Words 'Reliable' was considered a vile word by some Britons while Americans disregarded British opinions about their use of the language. The First World War brought new figures of speech related to warfare into British English vocabulary.
English Class Distinctions In Britain, correct usage of English was linked with manners, morals, class distinctions. However, after WWI trench warfare introduced new expressions like shell-shocked that changed traditional perceptions.
African-American Influence The migration from South USA brought African influences into mainstream culture including jazz music which contributed words like hepcat & hip; black expressions became part of popular culture influencing white Americans too.
European Contributions Incomers from Central/Eastern Europe added German/Yiddish words/phrases (e.g., hamburger) enriching American/English vocabularies despite opposition or attempts at regulation.