THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WILL SOON REACH ONE MILLION WORDS

Much to the disgust of the French, the English language is on a big global roll.

Back in the 1960s, fewer than 300 million people spoke English. But due to the birth of the Internet and the expansion of business globalism, the world now boasts over two billion English speakers.

According to China's Shenzhen daily newspaper, the English language is about to claim its one millionth word. (Interesting that this was considered a bigger news event in China than in England or America, where an unusual form of English has been spoken for centuries, according to Professor Higgins.)

Unfortunately for English language purists, there is bad news to go along with the good news.

A large percentage of new English words are actually hybrids, bridging the gulf between English and foreign language. Examples include words derived from Spanglish, Japlish, Hinglish (Hindi-English) and Chinglish (Mandarin-English). Propelled by the Internet, the English language is penetrating the world and being reformed to fit local languages and customs at the same time.

But, as in manufacturing goods, China has become the world leader in creating new English words, now known as Chinglish.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, a "drinktea" sign on a shop door means the shop is closed. The reverse side of the sign will say, "torunbusiness" or open.

Of course, the Chinese are not as politically correct as the Brits and Yanks, especially the youth who are creating Chinglish. Toilets for the handicapped are frequently signed "deformedman." A male homosexual is called "kweerboy."

When we Americans were young, those of us who studied foreign languages often invented new "English" words and expressions. At Middlebury College's summer foreign language immersion program, new words are created every day.

At the Russian school, one student asked a second to "close the window," which in Russian is "zakreitia okno." But not recalling the verb translation for close, he said, "Zaclosity okno." Soon "zaclosity" had become Russglish for "close." At least at Middlebury that summer it did.

Where is the English language going?

Bigger, broader, richer and more interesting. But not everyone will be able to understand every one else on every subject.

But not to worry. It has always been thus.

Procter & Gamble's Ph.D scientists at Miami Valley, Ohio have never spoken the same language as the marketers at Procter & Gamble's Cincinnati, Ohio headquarters. There is a "marketglish" and a "Sciglish," but, stultifying P&G's internal growth, there is still no "MarSciglish."

And just when was the last time some one from rural Vermont could understand a tourist from Valdosta, Georgia?