Language is a significant aspect that plays an important role in bringing the world together. Over the years, worldwide and in all social classes in most communities, there is always a common language of communication between peoples. Lingua Franca means " A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different." (oxford dictionary online virgin) The use of a Lingua Franca seems to be a very common phenomenon, it was used for communication by merchants and sailors all around the Mediterranean. Linguists classify the Lingua Franca as one of the most important things that may play an important role in changing the world. David Crystal (2004:1) says: "The year 2000 marked the end of a decade of linguistic revolution. The new century must deal with its consequences". In this paper I will talk about the importance of Lingua Franca language, the history of language, Lingua Franca language positives and negatives.
Since the early centuries, Europe and the world at large seem to have agreed that they should Choose Lingua Franca to communicate together. According to Pierre Frath There are many Lingua Franca in the history such as:.
Koine Greek, or κοινή διάλεκτος (common language), was the lingua franca of Antiquity. It was the language of the Delos League, a confederation of Greek cities allied against Persia in 478 B.C. It later became the language of Alexander the Great's armies, which conquered a huge empire in the 4th century B.C., and was subsequently used in the Mediterranean for many centuries. It was first considered a decayed and over-simplified language by native speakers of Greek, but Greek culture was so prestigious that the "common language" was soon considered the universal language of knowledge, science, philosophy and literature. ( Pierre Frath, no year for reference ).
So, if we look around us and read history, we will find much in common languages between peoples.