Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving Day for so long, one has to be a historian to trace its roots. Now, on the fourth Thursday in November, family members come from miles around to sit down to an elaborate dinner, reminisce about family memories, and most importantly, express their gratitude.America, some people think, is a rich and prosperous country. Many people think they should be grateful for their possessions and wealth, their homes and jobs.But America is also a spiritual and religious country, and many people are grateful to their God for the happiness and peace and goodness that is in their lives.Finally, many people in America are poor or alone on Thanksgiving Day, and these people struggle to be grateful for what little they have. They try to be grateful that they are alive and well, and have food to eat, and have a roof over their head.What do you have to be grateful for? Does your country have a Thanksgiving Day, or something like it?
Nida - That is an excellent explanation of how British English came to be nearly a universal language, but the British Empire has been steadily losing its influence since the 1960's. So why is English still spoken in former British colonies, and how do you explain the popularity of American English?
You have provided an important piece of the puzzle, but I believe there are a few more to go.
Well Anele, I also agree that Frank would have a good answer for your question : But have you ever wondered why English is chosen as the universal language and not any other language?
As far as I think, as we all know that English is the native language of the United Kingdom, the country which was ruling more than half of the world countries sometimes back. And its colonies were not restricted to a single continent, they were ruling African, Asian, European e.t.c. countries at the same time. During their rule English men not only learned the native language of the country where they were staying, they also made sure that local people also learn their language (i.e. English). They opened new school, colleges and universities in the occupied countries, where English was the part of syllabus. Also because they were ruling nation, they had a great influence on ordinary people ( which I guess is a quite natural phenomenon). My own country Pakistan (then a part of India) was ruled by British throne 60 years back. And what I know that even before freedom from British throne and partition of India in Pakistan and India, U.K. was the preferrd destination for the people who wanted to study abroad. And among those were the people who entered politics and eventually became leaders of freedom movement, including Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. So you could easily understand why English is the universal language. Even today, if you ponder for a moment, you'll easily figure out that people around the glob are still under the influence of America (another great English speaking country) and U.K. Both countries are still the preferred destination for not only students but also for the people who want to settle down abroad and earn their livelihood abroad.
Well, it's the main reason why English is the universal language. There might me other reasons also.
But it's what I think, and I might be completely wrong. So let's wait for the Frank's answer, which of course will be correct.
But have you ever wondered why English is chosen as the universal language and not any other language?
I will give that some thought, and do some research, and try to get you an answer over the weekend.
Hi Frank, I'm glad to know that why people always eat turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas!
It's really wonderful to know about other cultures. I have always believed that a language is the door to a completely new and strange world. More we know about a new language, more we know about new people and their traditions, rituals, religion and what not. And I'm having this wonderful experience on this site. Before reading this blog, I were virtually unaware of what Thanksgiving actually is. I were only familiar with the name of this wonder festival. But now I can tell anybody that why American people celebrate Thanksgiving.
Why turkey? I could be funny, and say, "Because!"
Actually, turkeys were plentiful in the days of the Pilgrims, and now, since they are eaten on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and hardly ever on any other days, they are grown on "farms," and raised just for people to eat. Wild turkeys are hunted in some areas, but they are tightly controlled as to the number you can shoot.
Almost all animals that are hunted in America are subject to controls.
Awesome post, Frank. I am grateful for everything Allah SWT has given to me, particularly life and happy family...Frankly, I love Thanksgiving celebration, however there is no counterpart of Thanksgiving in Indonesia. I like all stuff at Thanksgiving, particularly turkey and cornucopia.
I'm grateful to Allah (My God) for everything he gives me. I'm grateful for my family and my friends. I'm grateful for everything good I have in my life.We don't have special thanksgiving day in my country. All our days are thanksgiving days :) Every hour, every minute, and every second we are thankful.
Thank you, Nida !
I am grateful for the opportunity to help so many people like you that are trying so hard to learn English. My reward? The knowledge that so many people value the language that I grew up with and have learned to love, is my reward.
I was actually in search of something like this blog so that I could understand why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Now I know what Thanksgiving actually is.
Comments
You have provided an important piece of the puzzle, but I believe there are a few more to go.
As far as I think, as we all know that English is the native language of the United Kingdom, the country which was ruling more than half of the world countries sometimes back. And its colonies were not restricted to a single continent, they were ruling African, Asian, European e.t.c. countries at the same time. During their rule English men not only learned the native language of the country where they were staying, they also made sure that local people also learn their language (i.e. English). They opened new school, colleges and universities in the occupied countries, where English was the part of syllabus. Also because they were ruling nation, they had a great influence on ordinary people ( which I guess is a quite natural phenomenon). My own country Pakistan (then a part of India) was ruled by British throne 60 years back. And what I know that even before freedom from British throne and partition of India in Pakistan and India, U.K. was the preferrd destination for the people who wanted to study abroad. And among those were the people who entered politics and eventually became leaders of freedom movement, including Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. So you could easily understand why English is the universal language. Even today, if you ponder for a moment, you'll easily figure out that people around the glob are still under the influence of America (another great English speaking country) and U.K. Both countries are still the preferred destination for not only students but also for the people who want to settle down abroad and earn their livelihood abroad.
Well, it's the main reason why English is the universal language. There might me other reasons also.
But it's what I think, and I might be completely wrong. So let's wait for the Frank's answer, which of course will be correct.
I will give that some thought, and do some research, and try to get you an answer over the weekend.
It's really wonderful to know about other cultures. I have always believed that a language is the door to a completely new and strange world. More we know about a new language, more we know about new people and their traditions, rituals, religion and what not. And I'm having this wonderful experience on this site. Before reading this blog, I were virtually unaware of what Thanksgiving actually is. I were only familiar with the name of this wonder festival. But now I can tell anybody that why American people celebrate Thanksgiving.
Actually, turkeys were plentiful in the days of the Pilgrims, and now, since they are eaten on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and hardly ever on any other days, they are grown on "farms," and raised just for people to eat. Wild turkeys are hunted in some areas, but they are tightly controlled as to the number you can shoot.
Almost all animals that are hunted in America are subject to controls.
We should be thankful for what we have. Don't take all of that for granted!
Every hour, every minute, and every second we are thankful.
I am grateful for the opportunity to help so many people like you that are trying so hard to learn English. My reward? The knowledge that so many people value the language that I grew up with and have learned to love, is my reward.
I was actually in search of something like this blog so that I could understand why Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Now I know what Thanksgiving actually is.
Thanks a lot again!