12 Questions
In how many sovereign states is English either the official language or one of the official languages?
59
Which language is the most widely learned second language in the world?
English
What percentage of total speakers does English account for in the Germanic language branch?
70%
Which international organization is English a co-official language of?
European Union
What is the estimated number of English speakers worldwide as of 2005?
Two billion
From which group of West Germanic dialects did Old English emerge?
Anglo-Saxons
Which group of languages are the closest living relatives of English?
Scots and Frisian languages
What percentage of Modern English vocabulary is borrowed from French dialects?
28%
Which language group does English belong to within the Indo-European language family?
West Germanic group of the Germanic languages
What is the term used to refer to the grouping of English, Frisian, and Low German as the North Sea Germanic languages?
Ingvaeonic languages
What is the theory called that argues English can be considered a mixed language or a creole?
Middle English creole hypothes
Which language is mentioned as being mutually intelligible with English in the text?
Dutch
Explore the origins and characteristics of the English language, from its early medieval beginnings in England to its status as the most spoken language in the world. Learn about the migration of ancient Germanic peoples and the widespread use of English as a second language.
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