![crystal gay definition crystal gay definition](https://lattergaystories.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/crystal.jpg)
As illustrated in the lecture, what about a bellman who only knows 3 figures of speech which allow him to develop his work successfully, isn´t he fluent? Yes, he is. What level of fluency counts in this respect?Īccording to Crystal, whether someone is fluent in a language also depends on the context. Let alone the definitions of first language, second language, mother tongue, native speaker, etc. Firstly, because it is impossible to keep worldwide statistics and secondly, because it is extremely difficult to define what exactly ‘English speaker’ means. So, half joking but firm, Professor Crystal confirmed what we were all trying to guess: it is impossible to gauge how many people speak English. And that is precisely why it is so important to keep our eyes and ears wide open in order to know what is going on in India and China nowadays, where we notice the most significant evolution of the English language. To predict the future evolution of a language it is crucial to understand not only the present but also the past, taking the cultural background fully into account.
![crystal gay definition crystal gay definition](https://glreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/LEIOMY-MALDONADO-DIP.png)
“ The answer is always the same: we have no idea”. “ But, how many people actually speak English?”, asked the Professor. Professor David Crystal, who has a worldwide reputation and written over 100 books, brought together a wide range of experts and translators from all the EU Institutions eager to learn more about the future of one of the most spoken languages worldwide.
![crystal gay definition crystal gay definition](https://post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gay-couple-pride-1200x628-facebook.jpg)
In an overcrowded Hemicycle the professor enlightened our minds with a brilliant lecture with the title ‘ Whose English?’ Last Friday the Directorate-General for Translation of the European Parliament had the honour to receive none other than the eminent linguist David Crystal: the foremost writer and lecturer on the English language.