Many people speak English as a second language. What is the world's most commonly spoken first language?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
There are at least 7,102 known languages alive in the world today. Twenty-three of these languages are a mother tongue (first language) for more than 50 million people. The 23 languages make up the native tongue of 4.1 billion people. What is the most commonly spoken (first) language in the world?
How many people speak English as their mother tongue (first language)?
Over one and a half Billion people speak English as a non-native language (second language). Why do you think English is so widely spoken?
How many Americans speak Spanish as their first language?
List one thing the visual makes you wonder:
Based on the visual above, would you say there is such thing as a global language?
Just 500 years ago, less than 5 million people spoke English. Now more people speak English in the United States of America than in England. Why do you think English has grown so much?
One entire language is lost every 14 days. What do you think globalization and the spread of English and other languages has to do with this?
Did you know that English is not the official language of the United States? People in the U.S. communicate in more than 350 languages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, some of the most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic. People in the U.S. also speak Native North American languages such as Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres, and Cherokee, among others. A number of bills have been introduced to make English the Official language of the U.S., like this Senate bill from the 118th Congress. Explain whether you think English should be the official language of the United States.
If a law were passed to make English the official language of the U.S. of A. Identify five steps the bill would have to go through to become law.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
If you could learn another language, explain which you would choose. (Pro tip: you can!) Learn one of the languages the world is predicted to lose in the next century. If that’s not possible, learn another language that isn’t disappearing.
Get Creative
Some people predict that with the spread of the internet that by 2100 there will be only one language left. Think about how life would be different then. Make a creative response to this scenario. I had Gemini AI write a gangsta rap about the official language of the United States. Make your own (or have AI help you) creative response about the official language of the U.S. Here is “my” rap:
Yo, lemme drop some truth on ya'll, straight from the street,
'Bout this language debate, the heat can't be beat.
They talkin' 'bout one language, official and grand,
But that ain't the way this nation was planned.
(Chorus)
No official language, that's the key,
Diversity's the flavor, can't you see?
From Spanish to English, and all in between,
This land of immigrants, a vibrant scene.
We got cultures clashin', and tongues twistin' tight,
A symphony of voices, day and through night.
One language they say, it'll bring us all near,
But unity ain't built on suppressin' what's here.
(Chorus)
No official language, that's the key,
Diversity's the flavor, can't you see?
From Spanish to English, and all in between,
This land of immigrants, a vibrant scene.
Think about the newcomers, fresh off the boat,
Tryna learn the language, with a lump in their throat.
You gonna tell 'em, "Speak English or scram"?
That ain't the American dream, Uncle Sam!
This nation was built on the backs of the bold,
Who spoke different tongues, stories untold.
From the shores of Ellis Isle to the streets of L.A.,
Diversity's the heart, so let it all play.
(Chorus)
No official language, that's the key,
Diversity's the flavor, can't you see?
From Spanish to English, and all in between,
This land of immigrants, a vibrant scene.
So next time they preachin' 'bout one language rule,
Remember this rap, and keep your mind cool.
'Cause America's a mix, a beautiful blend,
And our language diversity will never end. Word.
Learn More
By the end of the century, nearly half the world's languages are predicted to become extinct. Explore this fantastic National Geographic interactive website on disappearing languages.
