We ask questions about specific languages a lot, but does anyone know what language is the most...?

Question

...common spoken? What language do most people speak more than any other?

Answer 1

Mandain Chinese with English second.
English is far more world wide in its distribution than all other spoken languages. It is an official language in 52 countries as well as many small colonies and territories. In addition, 1/4 to 1/3 of the people in the world understand and speak English to some degree. It has become the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de facto language of diplomacy. In 2001, the 189 member countries in the United Nations were asked what language they wish to use for communication with embassies from other countries. More than 120 chose English, 40 selected French, and 20 wanted to use Spanish. Those who wanted English to be the common language included all of the former Soviet republics, Viet Nam, and most of the Arab world. English is also the dominant language in electronic communication. About 75% of the world's mail, telexes, and cables are in English. Approximately 60% of the world's radio programs are in English. About 90% of all Internet traffic is as well. However, the percentage of Internet users who are not native English speakers is increasing rapidly, especially in Asia.

Answer 2

Even though there are over a billion Chinese people who do speak their own language, it is not what you could call the most common spoken as it is not the easiest language to learn and few are the ones who chose to make it their second language. On the other hand, English has become the most spoken language as even people from every other country mostly all take English courses in school and keep it up for computer and business purposes. Spanish is getting stronger all the time and French is losing a lot of ground since the province of Quebec has made it so difficult for anyone to live in peace amidst the "Police de la Langue Francaise" policy which prohibits everyone from having any other language unless the French is there which must be twice as big or else!
English has been the commercial language of choice for some time now and I can't see it being replaced anytime soon.
Whatever it is that we are looking for, the choices are enormously better in the English language. Any form of research in any other language is somewhat limited in comparison.

Answer 3

There appears to be no dispute that Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language. There seems to be considerable debate, however, including in this forum, about which is the second most widely spoken language. The favourites seem to be English, Spanish and Hindustani...

Answer 4

There are more speakers of Mandarin (Chinese) than any other language. Next on the list is English, followed by Spanish. If you know all 3 of these, you can communicate with over one-third of the world's people.

Answer 5

Mandarin Chinese is most spoken (makes sense if you know anaything about China!), then English I believe, then Cantonese Chinese. Hindi (India) is also among the top of this list as well..

Answer 6

English because around the world people speak english. Other languages such as chinese are only limited to their own country of origin.

Answer 7

Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.

Answer 8

Chinese; most specifically, Mandarin Chinese.

Answer 9

It's gotta be Chinese. That's a big-*** country!

Answer 10

I would certainly think it's Chinese.