Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the status of English as a second language?
What is the status of English as a second language?
What percentage of total speakers does English account for in the Germanic language branch?
What percentage of total speakers does English account for in the Germanic language branch?
Which organization recognizes English as a co-official language?
Which organization recognizes English as a co-official language?
Which ancient Germanic people are the namesake of the English language?
Which ancient Germanic people are the namesake of the English language?
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In how many sovereign states is English either the official language or one of the official languages?
In how many sovereign states is English either the official language or one of the official languages?
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What is the estimated number of English speakers worldwide as of 2005?
What is the estimated number of English speakers worldwide as of 2005?
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Which language group does English belong to?
Which language group does English belong to?
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What language had the most influence on the grammar, phonology, and most commonly-used words of Modern English?
What language had the most influence on the grammar, phonology, and most commonly-used words of Modern English?
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Which language is the closest living relative of English?
Which language is the closest living relative of English?
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What language group does Scots belong to?
What language group does Scots belong to?
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What group of languages does English, Frisian, and Low German sometimes belong to?
What group of languages does English, Frisian, and Low German sometimes belong to?
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Which language had a profound influence on the development of English vocabulary and grammar due to invasions of the British Isles?
Which language had a profound influence on the development of English vocabulary and grammar due to invasions of the British Isles?
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What theory calls English a mixed language or a creole during its development?
What theory calls English a mixed language or a creole during its development?
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Which language is NOT mutually intelligible with English?
Which language is NOT mutually intelligible with English?
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From which language group did Middle English evolve into Modern English?
From which language group did Middle English evolve into Modern English?
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Which language is most closely related to English?
Which language is most closely related to English?
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Study Notes
English as a Second Language
- English is the most widely spoken language in the world, with a significant number of non-native speakers.
Germanic Language Branch
- English accounts for approximately 70% of total speakers in the Germanic language branch.
Official Language Recognition
- The European Union recognizes English as a co-official language.
Origins of the English Language
- The English language is named after the ancient Germanic people, the Angles.
Global Language Status
- English is either the official language or one of the official languages in over 60 sovereign states.
English Speakers Worldwide
- As of 2005, there are an estimated 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide.
Language Group
- English belongs to the West Germanic language group.
Influence on Modern English
- The Norman Conquest of 1066 led to French having a significant influence on the grammar, phonology, and most commonly-used words of Modern English.
Closest Living Relative
- Frisian is the closest living relative of English.
Scots Language
- Scots belongs to the West Germanic language group.
Language Group Classification
- English, Frisian, and Low German are sometimes classified as belonging to the Ingvaeonic language group.
Latin Influence
- Latin had a profound influence on the development of English vocabulary and grammar due to invasions of the British Isles.
Mixed Language Theory
- The mixed language theory suggests that English developed as a mixed language or a creole during its development.
Non-Mutually Intelligible Language
- Dutch is not mutually intelligible with English.
Language Evolution
- Middle English evolved from the Anglo-Saxon language group into Modern English.
Closely Related Language
- Frisian is the language most closely related to English.
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Description
Learn about the origins and importance of the English language, from its early medieval roots in England to its current status as the most widely spoken language in the world. Explore the migration of Germanic peoples to Great Britain and the evolution of English into a global language.
