5 Questions
Which ancient Germanic people are the namesake of the English language?
The Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples, are the namesake of the English language.
What is the origin of the English language?
The English language originated from the early medieval England, with speakers called Anglophones.
How many sovereign states have English as the official language or as one of the official languages?
English is either the official language or one of the official languages in 59 sovereign states.
What is the ranking of modern English in terms of native language speakers?
Modern English is the third-most spoken native language, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
In addition to sovereign states, where else is English a co-official language?
English is a co-official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and many other international and regional organisations.
Study Notes
Origin of English
- English is a West Germanic language in the Indo-European language family.
- It originated in early medieval England.
- The language is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples who migrated to Great Britain.
Global Prevalence
- English is the most spoken language in the world.
- It is the third-most spoken native language, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
- English has more second-language speakers than native speakers.
Official Language Status
- English is an official language in 59 sovereign states, including India, Ireland, and Canada.
- In some countries, it is the sole or dominant language for historical reasons, without being explicitly defined by law, such as in the United States or United Kingdom.
International Recognition
- English is a co-official language of the United Nations.
- It is also a co-official language of the European Union.
- English is used in many other international and regional organizations.
Test your knowledge of the English language with this quiz! From grammar and vocabulary to famous literary works and influential writers, challenge yourself with questions that cover various aspects of English. Whether you're a native speaker or learning English as a second language, see how well you know this widely spoken language.
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