1. Chapter One: A World Language
“The Story of the Ugly Duckling”

2. The unlikely growth of English
In 1500 only 5 million people spoke English
Latin was the international language
English was of little use outside of England
Today English is spoken worldwide

3. The British Empire 1500–1920
English follows the rise of England (Great Britain from 1707) in the world
English replaced Celtic languages in Britain
The British Empire spreads English among it subjects
By 1920, 410 million people under British rule (Map: The 13 original English colonies in North America)

5. American Expansion 1776 – 1910
The United States gains independence from England
The USA spreads west across North America
Immigrants become English-speaking citizens
By 1910 the US is by far the largest English-speaking nation

6. The Anglo-American Alliance
A victorious alliance in the 20th century
As Britain weakened, America strengthened
English becomes even more influential
“Globalization” marks the birth of International English

7. The Future of English Will it remain dominant?
Will it divide into separate languages?
Will second-language-speakers change it?
Will it remain “Fit for fight?”