English

A language of United Kingdom

ISO 639-3

Population

56,600,000 in United Kingdom (2011 census). England and Wales 49,800,000, Scotland 5,118,000, Northern Ireland 1,681,000. L2 users: 1,500,000 in United Kingdom (Crystal 2003a). Total users in all countries: 942,533,930 (as L1: 339,370,920; as L2: 603,163,010).

Language Maps

Cook Islands

Ireland and United Kingdom

Liberia

Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland

Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland: zoomed 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

2,000 in American Samoa (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 65,000 in American Samoa (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of American Samoa

Anguilla

Language nameEnglish

Population

950 in Anguilla (2004). It is difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Language nameEnglish

Population

66,000 in Antigua and Barbuda (Crystal 2003a). It is difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. L2 users: 2,000 in Antigua and Barbuda (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

Language nameEnglish

Population

9,000 in Aruba (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 35,000 in Aruba (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Aruba

Australia

Language nameEnglish

Population

16,500,000 in Australia (2012 UNSD). L2 users: 3,500,000 in Australia (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.

View other languages of Australia

Bahamas

Language nameEnglish

Population

260,000 in Bahamas (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 28,000 in Bahamas (Crystal 2003a).

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

10,500 in Bahrain (2004 J. Leclerc).

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

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

184,000 in Belize (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 56,000 in Belize (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 in Bermuda (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

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

34,400 in Botswana (2003 UNSD). L2 users: 630,000 in Botswana (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national 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

3,500 in British Indian Ocean Territory (2004).

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.

View other languages of British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

20,000 in British Virgin Islands (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

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

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cambodia

Cameroon

Language nameEnglish

Population

L2 users: 7,700,000 in Cameroon (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Mainly South West and North West regions.

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cameroon

Canada

Language nameEnglish

Population

19,400,000 in Canada (2011 census). L2 users: 7,000,000 in Canada (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Newfoundland English.

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Canada

Caribbean Netherlands

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,390 in Caribbean Netherlands (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 in Cayman Islands (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).

View other languages of Cayman Islands

China–Hong Kong

Language nameEnglish

Population

238,000 in China–Hong Kong (2013 UNSD), increasing. L2 users: 2,200,000 in China–Hong Kong (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory provincial working 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

Cook Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

680 in Cook Islands (2011 SIL). L2 users: 17,000 in Cook Islands (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).

View other languages of Cook Islands

Curacao

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,100 in Curacao (2011 SIL).

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Papiamentu [pap].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Curacao

Dominica

Language nameEnglish

Population

10,000 in Dominica (2004). L2 users: 60,000 in Dominica (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 in Dominican Republic (Holm 1989).

Location

Cibao Nordeste region: Samaná province, northeastern peninsula.

Dialects

Samaná English.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

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

Other Comments

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

View other languages of Dominican Republic

Eritrea

Language nameEnglish

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

880 in Estonia (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 647,000 in Estonia (European Commission 2012).

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

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

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

Fiji

Language nameEnglish

Population

6,000 in Fiji (Crystal 2003b). L2 users: 170,000 in Fiji (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

Gambia

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Gambia

Ghana

Language nameEnglish

Population

L2 users: 1,400,000 in Ghana (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Ghana

Gibraltar

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Gibraltar

Grenada

Language nameEnglish

Population

750 in Grenada (2004).

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).

View other languages of Grenada

Guam

Language nameEnglish

Population

63,200 in Guam (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 100,000 in Guam (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.

View other languages of Guam

Guernsey

Language nameEnglish

Population

62,500 in Guernsey.

Location

Widespread.

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Guernsey

Guyana

Language nameEnglish

Population

650,000 in Guyana (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 30,000 in Guyana (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 in Honduras (2001). 22,500 Bay Islands English speakers on the north coast.

Location

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

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

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

View other languages of India

Ireland

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,270,000 in Ireland (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 275,000 in Ireland (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).

View other languages of Ireland

Isle of Man

Language nameEnglish

Population

85,000 in Isle of Man.

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

103,000 in Israel (2005 J. Leclerc).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Anglit

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Israel

Jamaica

Language nameEnglish

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

View other languages of Jamaica

Jersey

Language nameEnglish

Population

59,500 in Jersey (2014 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

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

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.

View other languages of Kenya

Kiribati

Language nameEnglish

Population

490 in Kiribati (2000). L2 users: 23,000 in Kiribati (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Kiribati

Lebanon

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,170 in Lebanon (2004 J. Leclerc).

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.

View other languages of Lebanon

Lesotho

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Lesotho

Liberia

Language nameEnglish

Population

74,000 in Liberia (2012 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 2,500,000 in Liberia (Crystal 2003a).

Dialects

Liberian Standard English.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Liberia

Madagascar

Language nameEnglish

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Madagascar

Malawi

Language nameEnglish

Population

16,000 in Malawi (1993). L2 users: 540,000 in Malawi (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1994, Constitution 51(1), 56(6), 94(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Malawi

Malaysia

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Location

Peninsular.

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.

View other languages of Malaysia

Maldives

Language nameEnglish

Status

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

Language Use

Used as L2 by Maldivian [div].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Maldives

Malta

Language nameEnglish

Population

16,200 in Malta (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 360,000 in Malta (European Commission 2012).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Malta

Marshall Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Marshall Islands

Mauritius

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

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.

View other languages of Mauritius

Micronesia

Language nameEnglish

Population

4,000 in Micronesia (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 60,000 in Micronesia (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Micronesia

Montserrat

Language nameEnglish

Population

100 in Montserrat (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

129,000 in Namibia (2010 UNSD). L2 users: 300,000 in Namibia (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Namibia

Nauru

Language nameEnglish

Population

710 in Nauru (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 10,700 in Nauru (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Nauru

Nepal

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Gurung [gvr], Maithili [mai], Manangba [nmm], Mugom [muk], Newar [new], 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.

View other languages of Nepal

Netherlands

Language nameEnglish

Population

L2 users: 15,000,000 in Netherlands (European Commission 2012).

Location

Widespread.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Dutch [nld].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Netherlands

New Zealand

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of New Zealand

Nigeria

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

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

160 in Niue (2011 World Factbook). L2 users: 510 in Niue (2011 World Factbook).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Niue

Norfolk Island

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,680 in Norfolk Island (2011 census).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

6,820 in Northern Mariana Islands (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 65,000 in Northern Mariana Islands (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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Oman

Language nameEnglish

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

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.

View other languages of Oman

Pakistan

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Pakistan

Palau

Language nameEnglish

Population

2,870 in Palau (2008 UNSD). L2 users: 18,000 in Palau (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

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

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Used as a 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

20,000 in Philippines (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 40,000,000 in Philippines (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Philippines

Pitcairn

Language nameEnglish

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Pitcairn

Puerto Rico

Language nameEnglish

Population

100,000 in Puerto Rico (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 1,840,000 in Puerto Rico (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Puerto Rico

Rwanda

Language nameEnglish

Population

L2 users: 20,000 in Rwanda (Crystal 2003a).

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].

View other languages of Rwanda

Saint Barthélemy

Language nameEnglish

Population

100 in Saint Barthélemy (2011 SIL).

Location

Saint Barthelemy island: Gustavia port town on west coast.

Dialects

Gustavia English.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Few youth still speak it.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. English with some creole influence.

View other languages of Saint Barthélemy

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Language nameEnglish

Population

200 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (2004).

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

1,600 in Saint Lucia (2004). L2 users: 40,000 in Saint Lucia (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).

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Saint Martin

Language nameEnglish

Population

5,000 in Saint Martin (2011 SIL).

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 Pierre and Miquelon

Language nameEnglish

Population

190 in Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1967 census).

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Language nameEnglish

Population

400 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (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.

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Samoa

Language nameEnglish

Population

200 in Samoa (2004). L2 users: 93,000 in Samoa (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Seychelles

Language nameEnglish

Population

3,000 in Seychelles (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 30,000 in Seychelles (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

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Administration, law, education, commerce.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Singapore

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,100,000 in Singapore (2010 census). L2 users: 2,000,000 in Singapore (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 in Sint Maarten (2011 SIL).

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

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Somalia

Language nameEnglish

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2004, Transitional Federal Charter, Article 7(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Africa

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Location

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

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)).

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.

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

10,000 in Sri Lanka (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 1,900,000 in Sri Lanka (Crystal 2003a).

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

7,500 in Swaziland (2006 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 50,000 in Swaziland (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Other Comments

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

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Tanzania

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Alternate Names

Kiingereza

Status

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

Language Use

Used by some Asian residents as L1. 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 in Tokelau (2013 UNSD).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Tonga

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,020 in Tonga (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 30,000 in Tonga (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 in Trinidad and Tobago (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

920 in Turks and Caicos Islands (2004).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Shifting to a standard variety of Caribbean English.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Tuvalu

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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U.S. Virgin Islands

Language nameEnglish

Population

98,000 in U.S. Virgin Islands (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 15,000 in U.S. Virgin Islands (Crystal 2003a).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Uganda

Language nameEnglish

Population

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

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

100 in United Arab Emirates.

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language nameEnglish

Population

225,000,000 in United States (2010 census). L2 users: 25,600,000 in United States (Crystal 2003a).

Location

Widespread.

Dialects

African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Language Use

Many regional and social dialects.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Vanuatu

Language nameEnglish

Population

1,900 in Vanuatu (1995). L2 users: 120,000 in Vanuatu (Crystal 2003a).

Status

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

Language Use

L1 speakers are from the United Kingdom.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Zambia

Language nameEnglish

Population

110,000 in Zambia (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 1,800,000 in Zambia (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.

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Zimbabwe

Language nameEnglish

Population

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