Final answer:
The global prevalence of English is mainly due to British colonialism, which established English in its colonies, and American cultural imperialism, which spread English through technological and entertainment dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The importance of English as a global language can be attributed to two historical factors: British colonialism and American cultural imperialism.
Through British colonialism, English was established as the administrative and educational language in many parts of South Asia, such as India and Pakistan, which made it a lingua franca in those regions. In addition to political and naval power, the British Empire's territorial expansion during the 18th and 19th centuries facilitated the global spread of the English language.
American cultural imperialism further promoted the use of English globally. The United States' dominance in economic, cultural, and technological arenas, especially after World War II, propelled the English language to unprecedented status. With inventions like personal computers, the internet, and the iPhone, along with the extensive influence of Hollywood and pop music, English became an indispensable part of global communication.