The dissemination of English linked to the expansion and
domination of the British Empire is only part of the story
of the language’s progression across the globe. Today
English is the primary language in some sixty countries
and continues to spread, especially as a second language.
A useful model to document the expansion of English
today, developed by an Indian-American linguist, Braj
B. Kachru, employs three concentric circles to reflect the
different ways in which English continues to gain new
speakers. That being so, read the statements that follow,
which are, at some point and extent, associated with the
model to document the expansion of English today, and
check the correct answer.
(I) The Inner Circle represents the English language’s
traditional heartland, USA, Canada, UK, Australia,
and New Zealand, where it is spoken as a native
tongue by some 350 million people.
(II) The Outer Circle comprises non-native countries
where English has an important status as an official
second language, including post colonial countries
such as Singapore, Kenya, and India.
(III) The Expanding Circle encompasses all other
countries where English is recognized either as a
foreign language or as a lingua franca, therefore
being used in business and trade, but where it does
not have a special status, such as China and Japan.
The statement(s) that may be considered correct
is/are: