Language plays a significant role in defining who we are. It is a method of communication in a structured and conventional way. “Language reinforces feelings of social superiority or inferiority; it creates insiders and outsiders” (p. 242) states Robert MacNeil (2012) in his article “English Belongs to Everybody”.
Robert MacNeil, a writer of many great historical articles, was once, a journalist and news anchor. In his article, “English Belongs to Everybody”, MacNeil responds to the fear of many Americans who believe that Spanish will soon sweep over English. He argues that English can not be diluted by any other language as “it has prospered and grown because it was able to accept and absorb changes,” MacNeil says, “Change is inevitable in a living language…” (2012, p. 242).
After discussing the fear of many Americans, MacNeil explains how linguists and grammer experts, with pure intentions of saving the language, tend to make English boring by laying rules to follow. He supports his argument by discussing how different languages are “joint-inheritance of the English speaking world” (2012, p. 242). Furthermore he talks about how freedom of language relates to human rights in the modern world. In his article, MacNeil blames grammarians for the resistance towards English. ManNeil, concludes his article stating the point that English will not wipe out as it is the “tongue of common people, literate or not” (2012, p. 245).
Title of the article “English Belongs to Everybody” summons the main argument and is reflected in the conclusion when the author describes how people use English regardless of the grammar teachings and various accents. The structure of the essay is well developed. MacNeil presents his thesis after introducing the importance of language stating how a “living language” is meant to have a change as the years pass and how a language which adapts to changes is certain to live, prosper and grow. The theme discussed by