English – Worldwide distribution

Origins of the English language

Despite today’s worldwide distribution and its designation as a world language, English is a Germanic language and used to be spoken exclusively in England — the south-eastern part of Great Britain. The Angles and Saxons had a great influence on the language, which is why English is still occasionally referred to as “Anglo-Saxon.” The language has changed several times since the middle of the first millennium over several stages of development and has been influenced by Danish, Norwegian and French, while retaining its essential West Germanic traits.

From the British mainland, it initially displaced the Celtic languages on the surrounding islands. The British colonial rule over numerous overseas territories in all parts of the world has spread the English language since the 16th century — albeit initially only in very limited regions. Due to the

English is the official language in many countries and for some decades was also in international organisations such as the European and African Union, ASEAN and the United Nations.

Varieties and mixture of languages

English is now the first foreign language taught in many countries. In many countries, so-called varieties have developed that use English as a basis, but mix it with national language characteristics. The best known example of this is the difference between British and American English. Although most words sound identical, words are sometimes pronounced or written in different variations depending on the region, like “grey” or “gray.” Examples like this can be found in almost all countries.

In the opposite case, the English language is not adapted to one’s own dialect, but Anglicisms are formed by incorporating English words into one’s own vocabulary. In many languages, for example, the term “computer” is used, although it is a purely English word.

Unless otherwise described in the text, this page is about native speakers — not the total number of speakers. How many people understand or speak English as a subsequently learned language is not the subject of this page. Countries where native speakers make up only a few thousand, or even a few hundred people, or countries with a percentage well below 1% are unlikely to be listed here.

Despite today’s worldwide distribution and its designation as a world language, English is a Germanic language and used to be spoken exclusively in England — the south-eastern part of Great Britain. The Angles and Saxons had a great influence on the language, which is why English is still occasionally referred to as “Anglo-Saxon.” The language has changed several times since the middle of the first millennium over several stages of development and has been influenced by Danish, Norwegian and French, while retaining its essential West Germanic traits.From the British mainland, it initially displaced the Celtic languages on the surrounding islands. The British colonial rule over numerous overseas territories in all parts of the world has spread the English language since the 16th century — albeit initially only in very limited regions. Due to the British Empire and the increased settlement of North America, Africa and Australia, English became increasingly important. Today it is the most widely spoken language when second and school languages are taken into account.English is the official language in many countries and for some decades was also in international organisations such as the European and African Union, ASEAN and the United Nations.English is now the first foreign language taught in many countries. In many countries, so-called varieties have developed that use English as a basis, but mix it with national language characteristics. The best known example of this is the difference between British and American English. Although most words sound identical, words are sometimes pronounced or written in different variations depending on the region, like “grey” or “gray.” Examples like this can be found in almost all countries.In the opposite case, the English language is not adapted to one’s own dialect, but Anglicisms are formed by incorporating English words into one’s own vocabulary. In many languages, for example, the term “computer” is used, although it is a purely English word.Unless otherwise described in the text, this page is about native speakers — not the total number of speakers. How many people understand or speak English as a subsequently learned language is not the subject of this page. Countries where native speakers make up only a few thousand, or even a few hundred people, or countries with a percentage well below 1% are unlikely to be listed here.