>Is it English or is it global marketing?
>
>I was 20 years old (over forty years ago) on leave from the army and in Thailand. I had a minor cold and visiting a small village near Bangkok.
>I went into what they called a store. I said one word "kleenex". And sure enough the lady came back with tissues in the
>smallest package I've ever seen (bought 20 for under a dollar). I can't speak a word of Thai. Yet I could say 'Coke', 'kleenex' and
>many other brand names and they understood exactly what I wanted or needed.
>
>Product names have become nouns. And those names invade languages. That's the start and soon things like movies, satellite TV
>invade even more. My neighbour is from Fiji and his children watch Bollywood all day via satellite TV and sure enough there are
>commercials for all the major brands.
>
>In the French areas of Canada a stop sign has 'Arret'. The English areas it's 'stop'. Silly - the stop sign has become universal.
>Why have words at all.
>
>In France they have a government department who's job is to protect the french language. If a new device or product type is created (like an ipod)
>they create a new french word to protect the french language. I don't know the exact words in French but it's three words long.
>They almost always lose in the end - I'll bet the French use the word 'ipod'.
>
>If a country allows any movies, satelite TV, outside products in - they will see a change in language.

I am planning a trip to Ukraine (where I was born and where I have not been in more than 30 years). I asked a friend of mine what would be a nice gift to bring to an old friend(s). She said, "anything that has a word Apple on the cover" :)