Englishing

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. The process of translating or adapting content from another language into English; the act of using English in communication or writing; the method of teaching or learning English language skills
2. The action of converting foreign text or speech into English; the practice of employing English for expression or correspondence; the approach to mastering or imparting knowledge of the English language
3. The technique of rendering material into English language; the application of English in verbal or written form; the system of acquiring or instructing English proficiency

Etymology: The verb "to english" is a clear case of conversion: a proper adjective, "English," turned into a verb by adding a use as an action. Its exact origin is unclear, and the most common explanation is a sporting one. The verb is linked to the American practice of "English," a spin put on a ball in billiards or bowling, and this use is commonly credited to English players who brought the technique over to the United States. Another possibility is that the verb took its name from a particular person surnamed English, but no such figure can be confidently identified. The "-ing" ending is the ordinary way English turns a verb into a noun for an activity, so "englishing" in its modern senses, translating or adapting text into English, using English in writing, and teaching English skills, is a fairly direct extension of the base verb. Its modern uses follow the broader pattern of verbs formed from a language's name, such as "to french" or "to dutch," though these are often informal or rare.