Overview of the English Language
English Language Overview
Geographical Spread
English is spoken in various parts of the world, notably in:
- The United Kingdom 🇬🇧
- The United States 🇺🇸
- Canada 🇨🇦
- Australia 🇦🇺
- New Zealand 🇳🇿
- Ireland 🇮🇪
It is also an official language in numerous countries and international organizations.
Total Speakers
Approximately 1.457 billion people speak English, either as a first language or as a second language.
Native and Official Use
Around 380 million people speak English as their first language. It is recognized as an official or administrative language in 58 countries and 31 non-sovereign entities.
Language Family
English belongs to the Indo-European language family, within the Germanic branch, specifically the West Germanic group.
Similar Languages
English shares similarities with other Germanic languages, such as German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. It has also been influenced by French and Latin.
Writing System
The primary writing system for English is the Latin alphabet. Historically, Anglo-Saxon runes were used, and for the visually impaired, English Braille and Unified English Braille are available.