What if English is not a universal language?

This situation has happened in the past, but it wouldn't be possible now. In fact, our world is now based on interaction between different countries - think of airplanes, business, pacekeeping and so on. Using the same language to communicate is essential. If every country used their own language, the situation would be absolutely chaotic; translating documents and communications would be much more expensive and in many cases it would be too slow to make many exchanges work properly.

If English is not the universal language, I'm sure there will be another language emerging as one. Surely people will come up with a common language because of the need to communicate. I think Mandarin will be a common language since everywhere you go in the globe you'll find a Chinese guy anywhere.

Hi Metatronik, I'm fortunate that I understand English. Even though my language is not that good, at least I could communicate with people whose native language is English and many others who is English speaking. I'm so glad that English a universal language so that I can enjoy reading and writing posts here at mylot during my leisure Books of law and science, etc are written in English. As what I know no matter what languages there are translated to, if there is any question in dispute, it has to be referred to or based on that written in the English version. This is the great power of having the accepted universal language. Last Sunday afternoon we met a foreign tourist eating meal at a same outlet. We were happy that we could interact using the universal language, English. If he could speak his native language, French only, it's sure that we wouldn't have a pleasant chat at that moment. Happy posting and have a nice day

Miscommunication and misunderstanding would always be a problem if that is the case. There will also be no unity between the countries since there will no proper talk from our leaders that will happen for they are having difficulties speaking with each other. It would really be a problem, good thing English was learned from almost all the countries and spoken by many as well.

hi, of course the possible thing that could happen is all people in the whole world could not understand each other because they will use different languages,and all people have misunderstanding,of course it will the cause of fighting.

I'm from Romania but I like english a lot. If my friends need subtitles for english or us movies I understand them quite well. And you know what the funny part is? That sometimes I know the word in english and I don't know it in romanian... And I say the phrase with the english word and the people stare at me.. It's pretty funny! English is an universal language and I cannot see how people would understand each other without knowing this language

English is Universal? I live in the States and I work in a store that is right next to a Chinese Restraunt and I really don't think that English is universal to them. The come into the store and try to communicate and it is like playing charades....it is very difficult. Sometimes they see humor in it and other times they get very frustrated when I don't understand what they are asking me. Just the other night one of them came in and wanted "Meeka". Now I really had no idea what that was. Saying it louder and slower did not help. Finally he pointed to the lottery machine which narrowed things down. We have 2 games that start with an M and so I figured it had to be one of those. It was....Megamillions. Now when they come in asking for Meeka...I will know that they want Megamillions tickets. I think if they come to our country they should at least take the time to learn the language.

Then I guess Sign Language to be the alternative for English.

hello, OMG! I cant even imagine how will people communicate to each other if we dont have a universal language. It sounds really difficult, thank God we have this language which we can understand each other even we are in different country. I think our life will be harder if we cannot speak one language which may understand by everyone.