allow me to tell u my as** i mean opinion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
English has been prominent in many countries especially in those that used to be colonies of the British Empire. even if it is not the first language, except in UK, US & Canada (of course the colonies too), it is almost always the second formal language spoken in many many countries, especially in Asia.
knowing the economic advantages in speaking English has spurred & maintained its importance in all levels; education, work, media etc. of course nowadays, in Asia it is challenged subtly by Mandarin (the main/formal dialect for China & chinese all around). although English is still an important factor in employment, Mandarin is slowly but surely rising in importance as well. all thanks to the rising economic power of China.
other 'minor' languages, if unchecked & unheeded, will definitely disappear. i don't have to look far into other parts of the world to see this as it already is happening in my place. Kuching is one of the biggest city (personally it's just a big town) in Malaysia & urban youths can be seen speaking English & Mandarin. there are those of ethnic race that are already affected & may speaking basic or very little of their own language. sadly i am one of them (though i am trying hard to learn my father's tongue). even those who can speak their 'father' tongue do so with mixed words from other languages (malay, chinese, english).
the boon of multiracial communication is also the bane of it. it depends, i guess, on how much do we want to keep to ourselves (racially) & how much do we want to assimilate or be assimilated.