英语和汉语都是在与其他语言的接触中发展起来的,英国和中国都有过被外族入侵和统治的历史。在英国,统治者的语言成为官方语言;而在中国,被统治者的语言却占统治地位。选择哪一种语言有多种原因,可能是由于统治者的偏好,也可能是由于文化的差距。英语史和汉语史告诉人们,一种语言是否具有重要性并不是取决于它本身内部结构的优劣,而是由使用它的人及他们在社会中所处的地位和权势决定的。 Both English and Chinese were developed in contact with other languages. Both Britain and China have had history of being invaded and ruled by foreigners. In Britain, the ruler’s language became the official language; in China, the ruler’s language dominates. There are several reasons for choosing a language, which may be due to the preferences of the rulers or to the cultural differences. The history of English and Chinese history tells people whether a language is important not only by the pros and cons of its own internal structure but by the people who use it and their place and power in society.