English

A language of United Kingdom

ISO 639-3

Autonym

English

Population

58,100,000 in United Kingdom, all users. L1 users: 56,600,000 (2011 census). England and Wales 49,800,000, Scotland 5,118,000, Northern Ireland 1,681,000. L2 users: 1,500,000 (Crystal 2003a). Total users in all countries: 1,121,806,280 (as L1: 378,250,540; as L2: 743,555,740).

Language Maps

Cook Islands

Ireland and United Kingdom

Liberia

Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland

South Africa: Enlarged area

El Salvador and Honduras

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Classification

Indo-European, Germanic, West, English

Dialects

Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, West Country, East Anglia, Birmingham (Brummie, Brummy), South Wales, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cornwall, Cumberland, Central Cumberland, Devonshire, East Devonshire, Dorset, Durham, Bolton Lancashire, North Lancashire, Radcliffe Lancashire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Newcastle Northumberland, Tyneside Northumberland, Lowland Scottish, Somerset, Sussex, Westmorland, North Wiltshire, Craven Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Sheffield Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Glaswegian. Many local English varieties around the world. Lexical similarity: 60% with German, 27% with French, 24% with Russian.

Typology

SVO; prepositions; genitives after noun heads; articles, adjectives, numerals before noun heads; question word initial; word order distinguishes subject, object, indirect objects, given and new information, topic and comment; active and passive; causative; comparative; consonant and vowel clusters; 24 consonants, 13 vowels, 8 diphthongs; non-tonal; free stress; phrasal verbs.

Language Use

Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006). A few also use Spanish [spa] (European Commission 2006), Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1382–2002.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about English

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Deseret Alphabet [Dsrt], developed in 1854 with limited usage until 1877. Latin script [Latn], primary usage. Shavian (Shaw) script [Shaw], no longer in use.

Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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American Samoa

Language nameEnglish

Population

67,180 in American Samoa, all users. L1 users: 2,180 (2010). L2 users: 65,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of American Samoa

Anguilla

Language nameEnglish

Population

12,250 in Anguilla, all users. L1 users: 950 (2004). It is difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. L2 users: 11,300 (2003 UNSD).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Language nameEnglish

Population

89,000 in Antigua and Barbuda, all users. L1 users: 86,400 (2011). It is difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. L2 users: 2,600 (2011).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,850,000 in Argentina, all users. L1 users: 100,000 (1985 New York Times). L2 users: 2,750,000 (2006).

Location

Widespread, mostly in Buenos Aires.

Alternate Names

Inglés

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. The British came to build the railroads in Argentina in the early 1800s.

View other languages of Argentina

Aruba

Language nameEnglish

Population

42,000 in Aruba, all users. L1 users: 7,000 (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 35,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Aruba

Australia

Language nameEnglish

Population

21,900,000 in Australia, all users. L1 users: 18,400,000 (2015). L2 users: 3,500,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Australian Standard English, Aboriginal English, Neo-Nyungar (Noogar, Noonga, Noongar).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Minor regional dialect differences. Neo-Nyungar is the community dialect of the Nyungar people.

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Austria

Language nameEnglish

Population

6,418,600 in Austria, all users. L1 users: 58,600 (2003 UNSD). L2 users: 6,360,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Austria

Bahamas

Language nameEnglish

Population

385,200 in Bahamas, all users. L1 users: 351,000 (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 34,200 (2014).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in the Bahamas, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Bahamas

Bahrain

Language nameEnglish

Population

16,600 (2013).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used for most business communication. Many Bahraini children learn English before Arabic [arb] because it is easier to learn (2004).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Bahrain

Barbados

Language nameEnglish

Population

275,000 in Barbados, all users. L1 users: 262,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 13,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Barbados, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. Christian.

View other languages of Barbados

Belize

Language nameEnglish

Population

240,000 in Belize, all users. L1 users: 184,000 (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 56,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Education, government, commerce.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Belize, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Belize

Bermuda

Language nameEnglish

Population

63,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Bermudan English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Colloquial English may not be a creole but a regional variety of uncreolized English.

View other languages of Bermuda

Bhutan

Language nameEnglish

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Education, government, commerce, media. Used as L2 by Khengkha [xkf].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Bhutan

Botswana

Language nameEnglish

Population

682,900 in Botswana, all users. L1 users: 52,900 (2015 UNSD). L2 users: 630,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national working language.

Language Use

International trade, the medium of western influence.

Language Development

Language of instruction from fifth grade. Taught from the beginning of primary school as a required subject. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Botswana

British Indian Ocean Territory

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,000 (2004 census).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. The indigenous population no longer resides in the islands. Current residents include members of the United States military, a small detachment of British officials, and support staff, mainly of Mauritian and Philippine origin.

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British Virgin Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

20,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in the British Virgin Islands, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Language nameEnglish

Population

144,000 in Brunei, all users. L1 users: 10,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 134,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1984, Constitution, Article 82(2)).

Language Use

Government, education, and by the educated as L1 or L2.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Brunei

Cambodia

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,502,360 in Cambodia, all users. L1 users: 2,360 (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 3,500,000 (2016 R. Salin).

Location

Major cities.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. English [eng] has surpassed French [fra] as the more commonly spoken international language in Cambodia.

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Cameroon

Language nameEnglish

Population

7,500,000 in Cameroon (Pinyon, R. and J. Haydon 2010), L2 users.

Location

Mainly North West and South West regions.

Alternate Names

Anglais

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 1(3)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cameroon

Canada

Language nameEnglish

Population

26,400,000 in Canada, all users. L1 users: 19,400,000 (2016 census). L2 users: 7,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Alternate Names

Anglais

Dialects

Newfoundland English.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1988, Official Languages Act, Ch. 38, Articles 1, 34).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Caribbean Netherlands

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,390 (2001 census). Bonaire 300, Sint Eustatius 1,900, Saba 1,190.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Provisional Official Languages Law, BWBR0028827, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Caribbean Netherlands

Cayman Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

50,000 (2012 UNSD).

Dialects

Cayman Islands English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Local colloquial English seemingly borrowed creole features similar to Jamaica and Central America without undergoing creolization (Holm 1989:479–480).

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China–Hong Kong

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,750,000 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 300,000 (2016 census), increasing. L2 users: 3,450,000 (2016 census).

Location

Widespread.

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Hong Kong (1997, Basic Law, Article 9).

Language Use

Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of China–Hong Kong

Christmas Island

Language nameEnglish

Population

440 (2016).

Status

1 (National).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

100 (2012 World Factbook).

Location

West island.

Status

1 (National).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Colombia

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,910,000 in Colombia (2015), L2 users.

Location

San Andrés y Providencia department; scattered elsewhere.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Islander Creole English [icr].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Colombia

Cook Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

17,680 in Cook Islands, all users. L1 users: 680 (2011 SIL). L2 users: 17,000 (2012 M. Salisbury).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1965, Constitution, Article 35).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. All the residents of Palmerston Island speak a distinctive dialect of English and have close family connections to Penrhyn. The Palmerston residents are descendants of an Englishman with several Cook Islands wives who settled on Palmerston in the 19th century (2012 M. Salisbury).

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Curacao

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,440 (2014).

Location

Widespread.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Curacao

Denmark

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,913,100 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 23,100 (2007 I. Larsen). L2 users: 4,890,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Engelsk

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Danish [dan].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Dominica

Language nameEnglish

Population

63,000 in Dominica, all users. L1 users: 3,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 60,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Dominican English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Dominica, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Dominica

Dominican Republic

Language nameEnglish

Population

8,000 (Holm 1989).

Location

Cibao Nordeste and Samaná regions, northeastern peninsula.

Alternate Names

Inglés

Dialects

Samaná English.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Also use Haitian Creole [hat], Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Descendants of ex-slaves from the United States settled in 1824. Reportedly a settlement of African slaves existed here in the early 1500s. Includes features of creolization and archaic Black English.

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Eritrea

Language nameEnglish

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Language of higher education and many technical fields.

View other languages of Eritrea

Estonia

Language nameEnglish

Population

660,880 in Estonia, all users. L1 users: 880 (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 660,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Standard Estonian [ekk].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Estonia

Ethiopia

Language nameEnglish

Population

171,870 in Ethiopia, all users. L1 users: 1,870 (2010 UNSD). L2 users: 170,000.

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Language of higher education, many technical fields, and international communication.

Language Development

Taught in secondary schools throughout Ethiopia.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Ethiopia

Falkland Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,610 (2012 World Factbook).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian, secular.

View other languages of Falkland Islands

Fiji

Language nameEnglish

Population

176,000 in Fiji, all users. L1 users: 6,000 (Crystal 2003b). L2 users: 170,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2000, Constitution, Article 4(1)), dominant language in commerce, education, government.

Language Use

Also used by many urban Chinese (4,652 in 1976), Rotuman, occasionally by Indians, rarely by Fijians (Geraghty and Pawley 1981). Reportedly a Fijian Pidgin English. Main language of commerce, education, government.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Fiji

Finland

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,852,900 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 12,900 (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 3,840,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Englanti

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Finnish [fin].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Finland

Gambia

Language nameEnglish

Population

41,000 in Gambia, all users. L1 users: 1,000 (2004). L2 users: 40,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Gambia

Germany

Language nameEnglish

Population

45,846,000 in Germany, all users. L1 users: 246,000 (2016 census). L2 users: 45,600,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Englisch

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by German Sign Language [gsg], Northern Frisian [frr], Standard German [deu].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ghana

Language nameEnglish

Population

9,800,000 in Ghana (2010 census), L2 users.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Gibraltar

Language nameEnglish

Population

30,000 in Gibraltar, all users. L1 users: 28,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 2,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Gibraltar

Grenada

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,350 (2015).

Dialects

Grenadian English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Grenada, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. In such situations, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the acrolect. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. Post-creole English with French Creole influences (Alleyne 1985).

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Guam

Language nameEnglish

Population

163,200 in Guam, all users. L1 users: 63,200 (2013 census). L2 users: 100,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1974, Guam Code Annotated, Chapter 7, Section 706, amended), dominates in administration, education and media.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. United States military and dependents.

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Guernsey

Language nameEnglish

Population

62,500.

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Amendment 2, Royal Court Rules).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Guyana

Language nameEnglish

Population

680,000 in Guyana, all users. L1 users: 650,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 30,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Guyanese English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Guyana, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Guyana

Honduras

Language nameEnglish

Population

31,500 (2000 J. Leclerc). 22,500 Bay Islands English speakers on the north coast.

Location

Islas de la Bahía department: large cities along north mainland coast.

Alternate Names

Inglés

Dialects

Bay Islands English.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Garifuna [cab].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Some creole influence.

View other languages of Honduras

India

Language nameEnglish

Population

200,350,000 in India, all users. L1 users: 350,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 200,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1950, Constitution, Articles 343 and 348(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Neither British nor American English but a distinct Indian dialect with its own unique vocabulary and style.

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Ireland

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,652,000 in Ireland, all users. L1 users: 4,370,000 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 282,000 (European Commission 2012).

Dialects

South Hiberno English, North Hiberno English.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1937, Constitution, Article 8(2)).

Language Use

Some also use French [fra] (European Commission 2006). A few also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

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Isle of Man

Language nameEnglish

Population

88,000 (2015).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Manx [glv].

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Israel

Language nameEnglish

Population

125,000 (2016).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Israel

Jamaica

Language nameEnglish

Population

50,000 in Jamaica (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

View other languages of Jamaica

Jersey

Language nameEnglish

Population

93,000 (2016 World Factbook).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Amendment 2, Royal Court Rules).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Jersey

Kenya

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,700,000 in Kenya (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 7(2)).

Language Use

Official language in most transactions. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kiribati

Language nameEnglish

Population

25,500 in Kiribati, all users. L1 users: 2,500 (2015). L2 users: 23,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language, should official texts conflict in interpretation, English prevails over Kiribati.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Lebanon

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,715,170 in Lebanon, all users. L1 users: 5,170 (2004 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 1,710,000 (Ramaswami et al 2012).

Location

Scattered.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Used to some extent since American University of Beirut founded in 1866. Many English language publications. Language of instruction in some schools and universities. Not spoken on the street or in Lebanese homes.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Lesotho

Language nameEnglish

Population

500,000 in Lesotho (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1993, Constitution, Article 7(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Liberia

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,500,000 in Liberia (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Dialects

Liberian Standard English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Liberia

Madagascar

Language nameEnglish

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Anglisy

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malawi

Language nameEnglish

Population

540,000 in Malawi (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Status

1 (National).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malaysia

Language nameEnglish

Population

7,380,000 in Malaysia, all users. L1 users: 380,000 (Crystal 2003a), increasing. L2 users: 7,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Putrajaya, Selangor, and Terengganu states.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1957, Constitution, Articles 152(2) through 152(5)).

Language Use

Nearly all domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Maldives

Language nameEnglish

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Maldivian [div].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malta

Language nameEnglish

Population

385,600 in Malta, all users. L1 users: 16,600 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 369,000 (European Commission 2012).

Alternate Names

Ingliż

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1964, Constitution, Article 5(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Marshall Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

83,200 in Marshall Islands, all users. L1 users: 23,200 (2001 UNSD). L2 users: 60,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mauritius

Language nameEnglish

Population

205,900 in Mauritius, all users. L1 users: 5,900 (2012 UNSD). L2 users: 200,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Alternate Names

Anglais

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Articles 33,46,49), used in education.

Language Use

Courts, road signs.

Language Development

Taught in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Micronesia

Language nameEnglish

Population

61,320 in Micronesia, all users. L1 users: 1,320 (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 60,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Monaco

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,230 (2014).

Location

Widespread.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Montserrat

Language nameEnglish

Population

100 (2011 J. Leclerc).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Montserrat, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. In such situations, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the acrolect. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Montserrat

Namibia

Language nameEnglish

Population

350,200 in Namibia, all users. L1 users: 50,200 (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 300,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Constitution, Article 3(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Nauru

Language nameEnglish

Population

11,600 in Nauru, all users. L1 users: 900 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 10,700 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Nauru

Nepal

Language nameEnglish

Population

7,002,030 in Nepal, all users. L1 users: 2,030 (2011 census). L2 users: 7,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Major cities.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Gurung [gvr], Maithili [mai], Mugom [muk], Newar [new], Nyeshangte [nmm], Sherpa [xsr], Southern Ghale [ghe].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Second most widespread language in Nepal in popularity, education, and use. Spoken at all socio-economic levels, by both literate and non-literate.

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Netherlands

Language nameEnglish

Population

15,376,500 in Netherlands, all users. L1 users: 76,500 (2016). L2 users: 15,300,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Engels

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Dutch [nld].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,970,000 in New Zealand, all users. L1 users: 3,820,000 (2013 census). L2 users: 150,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Nigeria

Language nameEnglish

Population

60,000,000 in Nigeria (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Government and education.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Nigeria

Niue

Language nameEnglish

Population

860 in Niue, all users. L1 users: 220 (2015 World Factbook). L2 users: 640 (2015 World Factbook).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1974, Constitution, Articles 23 and 71).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norfolk Island

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,680 (2011 census).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Northern Mariana Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

71,820 in Northern Mariana Islands, all users. L1 users: 6,820 (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 65,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1978, Constitution, Article 22(3)), co-official with Chamorro [cha], Carolinian [cal].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Neutral to positive attitudes.

Language Development

Many students from Asia, particularly Korea, come to Saipan specifically to study English. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norway

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,344,800 in Norway, all users. L1 users: 24,800 (2017 census). Based on immigrant population. L2 users: 4,320,000 (2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Engelsk

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Oman

Language nameEnglish

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Widely spoken in the business community. All official road signs and virtually all shop signs are bilingual Standard Arabic [arb] and English, though the number of L1 English speakers is relatively low.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Pakistan

Language nameEnglish

Population

17,012,500 in Pakistan, all users. L1 users: 12,500 (2004 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 17,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1973, Constitution, Article 251(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Palau

Language nameEnglish

Population

22,010 in Palau, all users. L1 users: 4,010 (2015 World Factbook). L2 users: 18,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1979, Constitution, Article 13(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Palau

Papua New Guinea

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,150,000 in Papua New Guinea, all users. L1 users: 150,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 3,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language. Used as LWC in the southern part of the country.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Language nameEnglish

Population

40,028,700 in Philippines, all users. L1 users: 28,700 (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 40,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1987, Constitution, Article 14(7)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Pitcairn

Language nameEnglish

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Puerto Rico

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,999,000 in Puerto Rico, all users. L1 users: 159,000 (2015 UNSD). L2 users: 1,840,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1993, Official Languages Act No. 1, Article 1).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Rwanda

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,525,440 in Rwanda, all users. L1 users: 5,440 (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 1,520,000 (Pinyon, R. and J. Haydon 2010).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2003, Constitution, Article 5).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. May be more users of English [eng] than French [fra].

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Saint Barthélemy

Language nameEnglish

Population

100 (2011 SIL).

Location

Saint Barthelemy island: Gustavia port town on west coast.

Alternate Names

Anglais

Dialects

Gustavia English.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Few youth still speak it.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. English with some creole influence.

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Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,900 (2016 census).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian, secular.

View other languages of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,000 (2015).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in St. Kitts and Nevis, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Language nameEnglish

Population

41,600 in Saint Lucia, all users. L1 users: 1,600 (2004). L2 users: 40,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Saint Lucian English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. An emerging English vernacular on Saint Lucia in a rural area is significantly restructured, heavily French Creole [acf] influenced, English lexicon (1998 P. Garrett).

View other languages of Saint Lucia

Saint Martin

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,000 (2011 SIL).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Anglais

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Saint Martin, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Language nameEnglish

Population

400 (2004).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

View other languages of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

Language nameEnglish

Population

110,800 in Samoa, all users. L1 users: 17,800 (2015). L2 users: 93,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1960, Constitution, Article 54).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Seychelles

Language nameEnglish

Population

34,590 in Seychelles, all users. L1 users: 4,590 (2014 World Factbook). L2 users: 30,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1993, Constitution, Article 4(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Principal language of the schools.

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Sierra Leone

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,900,000 in Sierra Leone, all users. L1 users: 500,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 4,400,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Administration, law, education, commerce.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Sierra Leone

Singapore

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,650,000 in Singapore, all users. L1 users: 1,650,000 (2015 World Factbook). L2 users: 2,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1963, Constitution (amended), Article 153A(1)).

Language Use

Home, office, church, public institutions.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sint Maarten

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,000 (2011 SIL).

Alternate Names

Engels

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 1(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Sint Maarten, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

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Solomon Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

175,000 in Solomon Islands, all users. L1 users: 10,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 165,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Solomon Islands

Somalia

Language nameEnglish

Location

Scattered.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Older adults.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Africa

Language nameEnglish

Population

15,890,000 in South Africa, all users. L1 users: 4,890,000 (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 11,000,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Gauteng province: Cape Town area; KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces; Tugela river to Port Edward area, and inland to Eastern Cape province; urban concentrations, Johannesburg, suburbs.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)), has been designated, along with Afrikaans, as an official language in all 9 provinces.

Language Use

Many second-generation people from India, Portugal, Germany, and Greece speak English as L1.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Sudan

Language nameEnglish

Population

Almost no L1 speakers.

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sri Lanka

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,090,000 in Sri Lanka, all users. L1 users: 10,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 2,080,000 (2015).

Location

Scattered.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language, used in government.

Language Use

Government. Used as L2 by Indo-Portuguese [idb], Sri Lankan Creole Malay [sci].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sudan

Language nameEnglish

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2005, Interim Constitution, Article 8(3)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Swaziland

Language nameEnglish

Population

68,300 in Swaziland, all users. L1 users: 18,300 (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 50,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 3(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Taught in all government and private schools.

View other languages of Swaziland

Sweden

Language nameEnglish

Population

8,514,300 in Sweden, all users. L1 users: 54,300 (2012 M. Parkvall). L2 users: 8,460,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Engelska

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Swedish [swe].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Tanzania

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,000,000 in Tanzania (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Kiingereza

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used by some Asian residents as L1. Widely used in education, technology, and the courts, but the government planned to discontinue using English in schools in favor of Kiswahili [swh] in 2015. Used as L2 by Asu [asa], Cutchi-Swahili [ccl], Luguru [ruf], Magoma [gmx].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools. Taught in secondary schools; instruction medium in secondary schools and universities.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Tokelau

Language nameEnglish

Population

670 (2013 UNSD).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Tokelau

Tonga

Language nameEnglish

Population

31,270 in Tonga, all users. L1 users: 1,270 (2015 World Factbook). L2 users: 30,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national working language, considered co-official with Tongan [ton].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Trinidad and Tobago

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,300,000 (2011 J. Ferreira).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language, standard English in writing, education; non-standard English in informal domains, among distinct ethnic groups.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Turks and Caicos Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,530 (2015).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Shifting to a standard variety of Caribbean English.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Turks and Caicos Islands

Tuvalu

Language nameEnglish

Population

800 in Tuvalu (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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U.S. Virgin Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

85,440 in U.S. Virgin Islands, all users. L1 users: 9,540 (2013). L2 users: 75,900 (2017 World Factbook).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Uganda

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,500,000 in Uganda (Crystal 2003a), L2 users.

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Amendment Act, Article 6(1)).

Language Use

All domains. All ages (as L2).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Arab Emirates

Language nameEnglish

Population

19,500 (2003 J. Leclerc).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United Arab Emirates

United States

Language nameEnglish

Population

308,900,000 in United States, all users. L1 users: 261,000,000 (2016). L2 users: 47,900,000 (2013).

Location

Widespread.

Dialects

African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Many regional and social dialects.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United States

Vanuatu

Language nameEnglish

Population

125,400 in Vanuatu, all users. L1 users: 5,400 (2016 World Factbook). L2 users: 120,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1980, Constitution, Article 3(1)).

Language Use

L1 speakers are from the United Kingdom.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Vanuatu

Zambia

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,841,400 in Zambia, all users. L1 users: 41,400 (2004 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 1,800,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 1(3)).

Language Use

Spoken as L1 mostly by Europeans. A small minority of Zambian Africans speak it as a L1. Language of Parliament. Home, education, business. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Zambia

Zimbabwe

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,550,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 250,000 (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 5,300,000 (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Most Europeans and an increasing number of Africans. Used in all or most education.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ethnologue

English

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