--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: English is a second language in most of…" description: "\"English is a second language in most of the educated sectors of Europe and much of the world. But maybe in the future Chinese will be. But I doubt that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/noam-chomsky-42_becoming_english-is-a-second-language-in-most-of_1429750.jpg" --- # English is a second language in most of the educated… ![“English is a second language in most of the educated sectors of Europe and much of the world. But maybe in the future Chinese will be. But I doubt that national languages will disappear. In fact, to some extent they're becoming more diverse, like in Europe.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/noam-chomsky-42_becoming_english-is-a-second-language-in-most-of_1429750.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/noam-chomsky-42_becoming_english-is-a-second-language-in-most-of_1429750.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/noam-chomsky-42_becoming_english-is-a-second-language-in-most-of_1429750.jpg) > “English is a second language in most of the educated sectors of Europe and much of the world. But maybe in the future Chinese will be. But I doubt that national languages will disappear. In fact, to some extent they're becoming more diverse, like in Europe.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. English dominates educated circles, but Chinese may rise; national languages persist and diversify. **In simple terms:** English is common, Chinese may grow; languages stay varied. Key Takeaway Recognize language shifts while preserving diversity. Themes language culture globalization diversity Mood analytical concerned Type observational predictive When to use this quote - education - business - media - travel - policy making Key Concepts sociolinguistics language policy cultural identity Questions to Reflect On - How will language education adapt? - What factors could sustain minority languages? A Different Perspective Assumes uniform future trends; overlooks regional resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Becoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becoming/) [Becoming more](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becoming-more/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-doubt-5086995/) [Disappear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappear/) [Diverse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diverse/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Educated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Future Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-chinese-2666051/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Educated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-educated-5086996/) [Languages Disappear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/languages-disappear-3971150/) [National language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-language/) [National Languages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-languages-2186287/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I doubt that national languages will disappear. In fact, to some extent they're becoming more diverse, like in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-doubt-that-national-languages-will-disappear-in-fact-to-some-extent/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“The spread of languages shouldn't imply the decay of national languages. There are so many literary and historical memories, so many joys and sorrows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-lomb/the-spread-of-languages-shouldn-t-imply-the-decay-of-national/) [Kató Lomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-lomb/) > [National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/national-languages-are-all-huge-systems-of-vested-interests-which/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [These examples of the lack of simplicity in English and French, all appearances to the contrary, could be multiplied almost without limit and apply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/these-examples-of-the-lack-of-simplicity-in-english-and-french-all/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [I am pretty sure that in the future the Chinese league will be one of the best leagues in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar/i-am-pretty-sure-that-in-the-future-the-chinese-league-will-be-one-of/) [Oscar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar/) > [Welsh is now almost a national language in Wales. The Scottish dialects are reviving to some extent. I don't think it's a major thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/welsh-is-now-almost-a-national-language-in-wales-the-scottish/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [A national language is a band of national union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/a-national-language-is-a-band-of-national-union/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The basis of any independent government is a national language, and we can no longer continue aping our former colonizers ... those who feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomo-kenyatta/the-basis-of-any-independent-government-is-a-national-language-and-we/) [Jomo Kenyatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomo-kenyatta/) > [It would, of course, be hopeless to attempt to crowd into an international language all those local overtones of meaning which are so dear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/it-would-of-course-be-hopeless-to-attempt-to-crowd-into-an/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [“In the twilight that was now the colour of dust, in the fury of horns that was a national language because honking had telegraphic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manu-joseph/in-the-twilight-that-was-now-the-colour-of-dust-in-the-fury-of-horns/) [Manu Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manu-joseph/) > [As a matter of fact, a national language which spreads beyond its own confines very quickly loses much of its original richness of content…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/as-a-matter-of-fact-a-national-language-which-spreads-beyond-its-own/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [“No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are not more than starting-points, which if followed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-w-said/no-one-today-is-purely-one-thing-labels-like-indian-or-woman-or/) [Edward W. Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-w-said/) > [“The range and variety of Chaucer's English did much to establish English as a national language. Chaucer also contributed much to the formation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-carter/the-range-and-variety-of-chaucer-s-english-did-much-to-establish/) [Ronald Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-carter/) > [“We’ve driven wedges between parents and children, between liberals and conservatives, between whites and ethnic groups, and between the religious and non religious. We’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-goddard/we-ve-driven-wedges-between-parents-and-children-between-liberals-and/) [Robert Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-goddard/) > [A common creation demands a common sacrifice, and perhaps not the least potent argument in favour of a constructed international language is the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/a-common-creation-demands-a-common-sacrifice-and-perhaps-not-the/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) ## More by Noam Chomsky > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [It’s a shameful moment for U.S. media when it insists on being subservient to the grotesque propaganda agencies of a violent, aggressive state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/it-s-a-shameful-moment-for-u-s-media-when-it-insists-on-being/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are questions as to whether it should even exist. Who should corporations be responsive to, the management of a corporation? Theoretically they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-questions-as-to-whether-it-should-even-exist-who-should/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Governments regard their own citizens as their main enemy, and they have to be - protect themselves. That's why you have state secret laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/governments-regard-their-own-citizens-as-their-main-enemy-and-they/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The first thing you ought to do is verify what I present. Just because I say it doesn't make it true. So check it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-first-thing-you-ought-to-do-is-verify-what-i-present-just-because/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [ I wrote an article about the marine landing \[in Haiti\] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-landing-in-haiti-right-away-but/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [American society is now remarkably atomized. Political organizations have collapsed. In fact, it seems like even bowling leagues are collapsing. The left has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/american-society-is-now-remarkably-atomized-political-organizations/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things. Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/discovery-is-the-ability-to-be-puzzled-by-simple-things-noam-chomsky/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [This is class war on an international scale, and power is in the hands of those who control the international economic system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/this-is-class-war-on-an-international-scale-and-power-is-in-the-hands/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There are big, extremely irrational parts of the society, and they have now been mobilized politically by the Republican establishment, hoping that these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-big-extremely-irrational-parts-of-the-society-and-they-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The 50,000 Korean mercenaries we had in Vietnam were professional killers and just massacred people outright. And the American army did plenty of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-50-000-korean-mercenaries-we-had-in-vietnam-were-professional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) [Explore all 2,129 Noam Chomsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## More Becoming quotes > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [The path I choose through the maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being--one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keyes/the-path-i-choose-through-the-maze-makes-me-what-i-am-i-am-not-only-a/) [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) > [Becoming famous is a really shocking thing, especially when you don't have aspirations to it. It got to the point where I would try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/becoming-famous-is-a-really-shocking-thing-especially-when-you-don-t/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius; and the feminine situation has up to the present rendered this becoming practically impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/one-is-not-born-a-genius-one-becomes-a-genius-and-the-feminine/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [I'm getting to a point where everything is becoming streamlined in my life. 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