Introduction
The English language has taken on an increasingly important role in the world today. It is the most widely spoken language in the world, used by more than one billion people globally. It is now the official language of many countries and international organizations, such as the United Nations. English is also a major focus for international business and commerce, with a large number of documents and contracts written in English across multiple industries. In addition, English has become a major factor for education, particularly higher education. Students from many countries travel to places such as the United States and United Kingdom to get their degrees due to these countries offering courses in English. Furthermore, it has become an invaluable tool for communication between cultures and nations, allowing people from different backgrounds to easily communicate with each other. As a result of all this, English has become essential for both social interaction and success in many aspects of life today. This makes it clear that knowing the English language is now an invaluable asset that can open doors to opportunities worldwide.
Country | English-Speaking Country | Portugese-Speaking Country | Spanish-Speaking Countries | Russian-Speaking Country |
---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | No | No | No | |
Albania | No | No | No | |
Algeria | No | No | No | |
Andorra | No | No | No | |
Angola | No | Yes | No | |
Argentina | No | No | Yes | No |
Armenia | No | No | No | |
Aruba | No | No | No | |
Ashmore and Cartier Islands | No | No | No | |
Austria | No | No | No | |
Azerbaijan | No | No | No | |
Bahrain | No | No | No | |
Bangladesh | No | No | No | |
Belarus | No | No | Yes | |
Belgium | No | No | No | |
Benin | No | No | No | |
Bhutan | No | No | No | |
Bolivia | No | No | Yes | No |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | No | No | No | |
Brazil | No | Yes | No | |
Bulgaria | No | No | No | |
Burkina Faso | No | No | No | |
Burundi | No | No | No | |
Cambodia | No | No | No | |
Cameroon | No | No | No | |
Central African Republic | No | No | No | |
Chad | No | No | No | |
Chile | No | No | Yes | No |
Colombia | No | No | Yes | No |
Comoros | No | No | No | |
Costa Rica | No | No | Yes | No |
Croatia | No | No | No | |
Cuba | No | No | Yes | No |
Curaçao | No | No | No | |
Cyprus | No | No | No | |
Czech Republic | No | No | No | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | No | No | No | |
Denmark | No | No | No | |
Djibouti | No | No | No | |
Dominican Republic | No | No | Yes | No |
East Timor | No | No | No | |
Ecuador | No | No | Yes | No |
Egypt | No | No | No | |
El Salvador | No | No | Yes | No |
Equatorial Guinea | No | No | Yes | No |
Eritrea | No | No | No | |
Estonia | No | No | No | |
Ethiopia | No | No | No | |
Faroe Islands | No | No | No | |
Federated States of Micronesia | No | No | No | |
Finland | No | No | No | |
France | No | No | No | |
Gabon | No | No | No | |
Georgia | No | No | No | |
Germany | No | No | No | |
Greece | No | No | No | |
Guatemala | No | No | Yes | No |
Guinea | No | No | No | |
Guinea-Bissau | No | Yes | No | |
Haiti | No | No | No | |
Honduras | No | No | Yes | No |
Hong Kong | No | No | No | |
Hungary | No | No | No | |
Iceland | No | No | No | |
India | No | No | No | |
Indonesia | No | No | No | |
Iran | No | No | No | |
Iraq | No | No | No | |
Israel | No | No | No | |
Italy | No | No | No | |
Ivory Coast | No | No | No | |
Japan | No | No | No | |
Jordan | No | No | No | |
Kazakhstan | No | No | Yes | |
Kosovo | No | No | No | |
Kuwait | No | No | No | |
Kyrgyzstan | No | No | Yes | |
Laos | No | No | No | |
Latvia | No | No | No | |
Lebanon | No | No | No | |
Lesotho | No | No | No | |
Libya | No | No | No | |
Liechtenstein | No | No | No | |
Lithuania | No | No | No | |
Luxembourg | No | No | No | |
Macau | No | Yes | No | |
Madagascar | No | No | No | |
Malaysia | No | No | No | |
Maldives | No | No | No | |
Mali | No | No | No | |
Malta | No | No | No | |
Mauritania | No | No | No | |
Mexico | No | No | Yes | No |
Moldova | No | No | No | |
Monaco | No | No | No | |
Mongolia | No | No | No | |
Montenegro | No | No | No | |
Montserrat | No | No | No | |
Morocco | No | No | No | |
Mozambique | No | Yes | No | |
Myanmar | No | No | No | |
Namibia | No | No | No | |
Nauru | No | No | No | |
Nepal | No | No | No | |
Netherlands | No | No | No | |
New Caledonia | No | No | No | |
New Zealand | No | No | No | |
Nicaragua | No | No | Yes | No |
Niger | No | No | No | |
North Korea | No | No | No | |
Northern Mariana Islands | No | No | No | |
Norway | No | No | No | |
Oman | No | No | No | |
Pakistan | No | No | No | |
Palau | No | No | No | |
Palestine | No | No | No | |
Panama | No | No | No | |
Paraguay | No | No | Yes | No |
People's Republic of China | No | No | No | |
Peru | No | No | Yes | No |
Poland | No | No | No | |
Portugal | No | Yes | No | |
Qatar | No | No | No | |
Republic of Macedonia | No | No | No | |
Republic of the Congo | No | No | No | |
Romania | No | No | No | |
Russia | No | No | Yes | |
Rwanda | No | No | No | |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | No | No | No | |
Saint-Barthélemy | No | No | No | |
San Marino | No | No | No | |
Saudi Arabia | No | No | No | |
Senegal | No | No | No | |
Serbia | No | No | No | |
Seychelles | No | No | No | |
Siachen Glacier | No | No | No | |
Sint Maarten | No | No | No | |
Slovakia | No | No | No | |
Slovenia | No | No | No | |
Somalia | No | No | No | |
Somaliland | No | No | No | |
South Korea | No | No | No | |
Spain | No | No | Yes | No |
Sri Lanka | No | No | No | |
Sudan | No | No | No | |
Suriname | No | No | No | |
Sweden | No | No | No | |
Switzerland | No | No | No | |
Syria | No | No | No | |
São Tomé and Príncipe | No | Yes | No | |
Taiwan | No | No | No | |
Tajikistan | No | No | No | |
Tanzania | No | No | No | |
Thailand | No | No | No | |
Togo | No | No | No | |
Tunisia | No | No | No | |
Turkey | No | No | No | |
Turkmenistan | No | No | No | |
Turks and Caicos Islands | No | No | No | |
Uganda | No | No | No | |
Ukraine | No | No | No | |
United Arab Emirates | No | No | No | |
Uruguay | No | No | Yes | No |
Uzbekistan | No | No | No | |
Vanuatu | No | No | No | |
Vatican City | No | No | No | |
Venezuela | No | No | Yes | No |
Vietnam | No | No | No | |
Western Sahara | No | No | No | |
Yemen | No | No | No | |
Zimbabwe | No | No | No | |
Eswatini | No | No | No | |
Åland Islands | No | No | No | |
Anguilla | Yes | No | No | |
Antigua and Barbuda | Yes | No | No | |
Australia | Yes | No | No | |
Australian Indian Ocean Territories | Yes | No | No | |
Barbados | Yes | No | No | |
Belize | Yes | No | No | |
Bermuda | Yes | No | No | |
Botswana | Yes | No | No | |
British Virgin Islands | Yes | No | No | |
Brunei | Yes | No | No | |
Canada | Yes | No | No | |
Cayman Islands | Yes | No | No | |
Dominica | Yes | No | No | |
Fiji | Yes | No | No | |
Ghana | Yes | No | No | |
Grenada | Yes | No | No | |
Guam | Yes | No | No | |
Guernsey | Yes | No | No | |
Guyana | Yes | No | No | |
Ireland | Yes | No | No | |
Isle of Man | Yes | No | No | |
Jamaica | Yes | No | No | |
Jersey | Yes | No | No | |
Kenya | Yes | No | No | |
Liberia | Yes | No | No | |
Malawi | Yes | No | No | |
Marshall Islands | Yes | No | No | |
Mauritius | Yes | No | No | |
Nigeria | Yes | No | No | |
Norfolk Island | Yes | No | No | |
Papua New Guinea | Yes | No | No | |
Philippines | Yes | No | No | |
Puerto Rico | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Saint Helena | Yes | No | No | |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | No | No | |
Saint Lucia | Yes | No | No | |
Saint Martin | Yes | No | No | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | No | No | |
Sierra Leone | Yes | No | No | |
Singapore | Yes | No | No | |
Solomon Islands | Yes | No | No | |
South Africa | Yes | No | No | |
South Sudan | Yes | No | No | |
The Bahamas | Yes | No | No | |
The Gambia | Yes | No | No | |
Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | No | No | |
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus | Yes | No | No | |
United Kingdom | Yes | No | No | |
United States Virgin Islands | Yes | No | No | |
United States of America | Yes | No | No | |
Zambia | Yes | No | No |
The English Language
The English language is a West Germanic language, originating from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by various Germanic tribes in the 5th century. Rooted in Old English and Middle English (which were closely related to Old Norse), English has evolved over centuries into its modern form, becoming one of the most influential languages in history.
English is considered one of the most widely spoken languages in the world today, with approximately 1.5 billion speakers globally. It has played an incredibly important role in global communication and commerce, evolving into an international lingua franca that is used for business, media, education and more. Because of its widespread use, English is sometimes referred to as a “world language”.
As well as being spoken by native speakers all around the globe, multiple varieties have emerged such as American English, Indian English and Australian English; each with their own unique characteristics and variations. The lexicon of contemporary English includes words derived from a wide variety of sources including Greek, Latin, French and other European languages, reflecting its history as a diverse melting pot of cultures over time.
English as a Global Language
English has long been an important language in international communication and diplomacy. It is the most widely used language for business and travel, as well as being increasingly adopted as a lingua franca in many countries around the world. By some estimates, more than one billion people speak English today, making it the second-most common language after Mandarin Chinese. This is especially remarkable given that English has no official status in many countries and yet still managed to become such a pervasive global language over time. It is also the dominant language of science and technology, giving its speakers a clear advantage in fields such as education and research. Furthermore, English is the primary language of entertainment media such as movies, television shows, books, music, and video games; this allows its speakers to easily access cultural information from around the world. The prevalence of English in all aspects of life makes it invaluable for anyone seeking to navigate our increasingly interconnected global landscape.
Globish
Globish is an English-based language which has been created as a global lingua franca. It consists of a 1500-word core vocabulary that was taken from the simplified English used in international business and aviation contexts. The words are selected for their universality, ease of understanding, and high frequency of use. Globish is designed to be easily learned by non-native English speakers who may have different or limited backgrounds in English. In contrast to traditional forms of English, it removes the complexities and ambiguities that are associated with more standard versions. It is used widely in international communications, as well as in a variety of other settings such as education, hospitality, travel and tourism, technology services and in many other areas. Its popularity stems from its relative simplicity and ability to bridge cultural boundaries quickly and effectively. Furthermore, it encourages speakers to express themselves while avoiding misunderstandings due to miscommunication. As such, Globish can be seen as a tool for global communication that allows people from different linguistic backgrounds to communicate with one another more efficiently.
Pidgin English
Pidgin English is a type of language that is created from two or more languages and serves as a common means of communication between speakers who do not share the same language. Pidgin English has become an essential part of the linguistic landscape in many countries around the world. For example, Hawaii Pidgin English is made up of English, Hawaiian, Portuguese, Cantonese and other languages. In the Philippines, Taglish (Tagalog-English) is a form of pidgin that blends Tagalog and English together. Similarly, in India there is Hinglish (Hindi-English) which combines Hindi and English words to create new meanings. On the African continent, Nigerian Pidgin (or Naija Pidgin) incorporates multiple languages including Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa into its vocabulary. Interestingly, this variety of pidgin has now spread beyond Nigeria to Ghana and Cameroon where it has become widely used as well. Apart from being used in everyday speech among friends and family members, pidgins can also be found in literature like songs and poems that give voice to shared experiences within these communities where multiple languages are spoken.
Countries With English as Official Language
English has become the official language of 51 countries, primarily due to its widespread usage and dominant presence in the world. This is largely attributed to its origin from Great Britain and the British Empire’s expansive reach during the colonial period, which led to much of the world speaking English as a lingua franca.
The United States of America also played an integral part in helping English become the official language in many countries. It has been estimated that around half of all English speakers call themselves American and it is thought that more than two billion people are exposed to their influence through marketing, media, literature, and other forms of communication. Furthermore, former colonies often adopted English as an official language due to education systems established by former colonizing powers.
The spread of English has seen it adopted as an official language in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. In fact, English is recognized as an official or co-official language by over 80 nations around the world. This includes prominent countries such as India, Nigeria and Singapore who boast large populations speaking multiple languages but have adopted English as a ‘bridge’ between various linguistic groups to facilitate communication and interaction amongst their citizens.
List of countries with English as an official language :
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Australian Indian Ocean Territories
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guernsey
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Jersey
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Nigeria
- Norfolk Island
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- The Bahamas
- The Gambia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- United Kingdom
- United States Virgin Islands
- United States of America
- Zambia
English-Speaking Countries
Afghanistan
Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
English-Speaking Country
No
Armenia
Aruba
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Australia
Australia is a country with a rich cultural history and it is one of the few English-speaking countries in the world. The majority of Australians are native English speakers, with around 72% of the population speaking only English as their first language. The most common second languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Punjabi. Australia has been an important influence in the development of the English language and culture around the world. Australia has also produced some of the greatest writers, poets, and playwrights who have enriched our understanding and appreciation of literature written in this language.
Australian Indian Ocean Territories
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
English-Speaking Country
No
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
English-Speaking Country
No
Colombia
English-Speaking Country
No
Comoros
Costa Rica
English-Speaking Country
No
Croatia
Cuba
English-Speaking Country
No
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
English-Speaking Country
No
East Timor
Ecuador
English-Speaking Country
No
Egypt
El Salvador
English-Speaking Country
No
Equatorial Guinea
English-Speaking Country
No
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
France is a predominantly French-speaking country, with about 55 million native speakers. While English is widely taught in French schools and universities, it is not the official language of the country. France also has multiple regional languages that are spoken by smaller groups of people including Breton, Alsacien, and Provençal. Additionally, French is one of the most studied languages in the world and its influence has extended to many other countries throughout history. The French language is known for its rich vocabulary and intricate grammar, making it a difficult language to learn for native English speakers.
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
English-Speaking Country
No
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
English-Speaking Country
No
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
India is a multilingual country, with 122 major languages and over 1,500 different dialects spoken throughout the nation. English is widely used in business, government, and education; however, it does not hold the official status of a national language. Only about 10 percent of the population speaks it as their first language, with Hindi being the most widely spoken language, followed by Bengali, Telugu, and Marathi. Additionally, many regions have their own local lingua franca that differs from both English and Hindi. As such, while English remains an important part of Indian culture and is commonly used across much of the country for communication between people who speak different native languages, India cannot be characterized as an English-speaking nation overall.
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Japan is not an English-speaking country, with only 2% of its population possessing conversational fluency in the language. Japan's official language is Japanese, which includes one of the oldest written languages in the world. As a result, those wishing to learn or communicate in Japan must take the time to learn the language and its nuances. Furthermore, due to the high level of cultural and linguistic differences between Japan and English-speaking countries, it can be difficult for visitors to navigate their way around without some knowledge of Japanese unless they have a translator or guide to assist them.
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
English-Speaking Country
No
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
English-Speaking Country
No
Niger
Nigeria
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Norway is a Scandinavian nation located in Northern Europe and is home to more than 5 million people. Although English is taught in many Norwegian schools, the majority of Norwegians speak Norwegian as their primary language. Norway has two official languages – Bokmål, which is a variation of Danish, and Nynorsk, which is derived from Norwegian dialects. Despite its close proximity to the United Kingdom and its long history of interactions with English-speaking countries, Norway does not have English as an official language. Yet, it is estimated that only around 88% of Norwegians are proficient enough in English for it to be considered their second language. While many services provided by government departments still operate primarily in Norwegian, an increasing number are beginning to offer some assistance in English. Furthermore, various private sector businesses are also now offering services in English as well as Norwegian.
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
English-Speaking Country
No
People's Republic of China
Peru
English-Speaking Country
No
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
English-Speaking Country
Yes
Qatar
Republic of Macedonia
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint-Barthélemy
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Siachen Glacier
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Somaliland
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
English-Speaking Country
No
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Bahamas
The Gambia
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
English-Speaking Country
No
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
English-Speaking Country
No
Vietnam
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
FAQs
How many countries have English as an official language?
There are currently 51 countries that have English as their official or co-official language.
How many people have English as their mother tongue?
Approximately 400 million people have English as their native language, most of them residing in countries of the former British Empire, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India.
How many people speak English around the world?
Approximately 1.5 billion people around the world speak English as their primary or secondary language, with two-thirds of those coming from non-native speaker countries, making it one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world.
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