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The Story of English
S1.E1
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IMDbPro

An English Speaking World

  • Episode aired Sep 22, 1986
  • 1h
YOUR RATING
An English Speaking World (1986)
Documentary

Explores the development of modern English and shows how English has become the language of choice for international business, diplomacy, and popular culture.Explores the development of modern English and shows how English has become the language of choice for international business, diplomacy, and popular culture.Explores the development of modern English and shows how English has become the language of choice for international business, diplomacy, and popular culture.

  • Directors
    • William Cran
    • Peter Dale
    • Vivian Ducat
  • Writers
    • Robert McCrum
    • Robert MacNeil
  • Stars
    • Robert MacNeil
    • Randolph Quirk
    • Robert Burchfield
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • William Cran
      • Peter Dale
      • Vivian Ducat
    • Writers
      • Robert McCrum
      • Robert MacNeil
    • Stars
      • Robert MacNeil
      • Randolph Quirk
      • Robert Burchfield
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top Cast18

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    Robert MacNeil
    Robert MacNeil
    • Self - Presenter
    Randolph Quirk
    • Self - President, British Academy
    • (as Prof. Sir Randolph Quirk)
    Robert Burchfield
    • Self - Editor, Oxford English Dictionary
    • (as Dr. Robert Burchfield)
    Braj Kachru
    • Self - University of Illinois
    • (as Prof. Braj Kachru)
    P. Lal
    • Self - Writers' Workshop, Calcutta
    • (as Prof. P. Lal)
    Siaka Stevens
    • Self - President, Sierra Leone, 1971-85
    Alistair Cooke
    Alistair Cooke
    • Self - Writer and Broadcaster
    William Safire
    William Safire
    • Self - New York Times
    Moon Unit Zappa
    Moon Unit Zappa
    • Self
    • (as Moon Zappa)
    Tom Ammiano
    • Self - Gay Stand-Up Comedian
    Gloria Steinem
    Gloria Steinem
    • Self - Editor, Ms Magazine
    Harry Marks
    • Self - Graphic Designer
    Carl Rosendahl
    • Self - Computer Animator
    Kuan Yew Lee
    • Self - Prime Minister, Singapore
    • (as Lee Kuan Yew)
    B.K. Yap
    • Self - Shipyard Manager
    Lee Sow Ling
    • Self - English Language Consultant, The Straits Times
    Kate Flower
    • Self - Presenter, 'Follow Me'
    H.C. Narang
    • Self - Nehru University, Delhi
    • (as Prof. H.C. Narang)
    • Directors
      • William Cran
      • Peter Dale
      • Vivian Ducat
    • Writers
      • Robert McCrum
      • Robert MacNeil
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews

    Related interests

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    Documentary

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Sometimes called "The Global Village" in the USA.
    • Quotes

      Self - Presenter: Superpower politics divide east from west but for English there are no borders. It is more influential than any language the world has ever known. This is the story of English and an English speaking world.

    • Soundtracks
      Valley Girl
      Written by Frank Zappa and Moon Unit Zappa (as Moon Zappa)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 22, 1986 (United Kingdom)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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