how many people in the world speak English?

Answer 1

Very many> Oh it's true it's true but,just that Mandarin Chinese and Hindi have more native speakers, because the countries in which they are most common as first languages (China and India, respectively) have large populations;An estimated 300-400 million people speak English as their first language. One recent estimate is that 1.9 billion people, nearly a third of the world's population, have a basic proficiency in English [1]. English is the dominant international language in communications, science, business, aviation, entertainment, diplomacy and the Internet. It has been one of the official languages of the United Nations since its founding in 1945.

English originated in England, and is a West Germanic language which developed from Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons. As a result of the Norman Conquest and other events in English history, it has been heavily influenced, more than any other Germanic language, by French and Latin. From England it spread to the rest of the British Isles, then to the colonies and territories of the British Empire (both outside and inside the current Commonwealth of Nations) such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others, particularly those in the Anglophone Caribbean. As a result of these historical developments English is the official language (sometimes one of several) in many countries formerly under British or American rule, such as Ghana, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Philippines.

Mandarin Chinese and Hindi have more native speakers, because the countries in which they are most common as first languages (China and India, respectively) have large populations; however, the geographic distribution of Mandarin and Hindi, as both first and second languages, is much more limited than that of English. English is also the most widely spoken of the Germanic languages. English was spread to many parts of the world through the expansion of the British Empire, but it did not acquire a lingua franca status in other parts of the world until the late 20th century. Following World War II the economic and cultural influence of the United States increased dramatically and English permeated other cultures, chiefly through the development of telecommunications technology. [2] Because a working knowledge of English is required in many fields and occupations, education ministries around the world mandate the teaching of English to at least a basic level



Pronunciation: IPA: /ˈɪŋglɪʃ/
Spoken in: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and other countries
(used in international aviation, and ship travel)
Total speakers: First language: 300-400 million
Second language: 150 million–1 billion
Ranking: #4 as a native language;
#2 in overall speakers

Answer 2

English was declared the national language for a reason. It is so people can communicate with each other in the business world. I speak three languages fluently (English, Spanish, and American Sign Language), but here in America? I want my damned food served to me in ENGLISH. I want my flight tickets sold to me in ENGLISH. If I am going to a place where English is NOT the official language, I will do my best to learn it by studying tapes or something of the like before I get there. It is respectful of the country you are residing in (whether temporarily or permanently) to learn the language of the country. I don't care what language you speak to your friends or to your family, but in business matters, you should always conform to the native language of the country you're conducting business with. Period.

Answer 3

A decade ago to learn English, you had to attend costly English classes or purchase course material like tapes and books. Now you can learn English for free from the comfort of your home using the internet. The BBC and the British Council offer a number of online courses which teach written and spoken English. You can also improve your English by watching television programs and reading English newspapers. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/qnzpt

Answer 4

Too hard a question.... there are too many people in the world.
I do know that more people in China speak english than in the USA.

Answer 5

I'd say at least 12 or 13. Maybe even 15!

Answer 6

Hi, I Think Its About 341,000,000. I'm Not Really Sure.

Answer 7

It is second most widely spoken language after chinese/mandarin.
For the correct figures here is a link

Answer 8

Most

Answer 9

Not Enough

Answer 10

wait i'm counting 1,2,3....... i'm afraid to miss myself