English-speaking world

The English-speaking world includes 88 countries and territories where English is an official, administrative, or cultural language. In the 2000s, between one and two billion people spoke English. This made English the largest language by number of speakers and the most widespread language in the world. People who speak English are called Anglophones.

Early Medieval England is where the English language began. The modern form of the language spread worldwide starting in the 17th century. This spread happened first through the influence of England and later the United Kingdom, and then because of the United States. Today, English is the leading language of international discussion and the lingua franca in many areas like science, navigation, and law.

The United States and India have the most English speakers. This is followed by the United Kingdom and Nigeria. When counting people who speak English as a second language, the total number of Anglophones is very large.

Majority English-speaking countries

Main articles: List of countries by English-speaking population and Anglosphere

English is the main language spoken in several countries and areas. Five big ones are often called the "core Anglosphere": the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Sometimes, the term "Anglosphere" also includes other places where English or a special form of English called an English Creole is the main language spoken, and where English is used in government and schools. These places include Ireland, Gibraltar, and the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Countries and territories

Main article: List of countries and territories where English is an official language

English is an official language in many places around the world. It is used in government and daily life in countries and areas such as:

• North America: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, United States Virgin Islands
• South America: Falkland Islands, Guyana
• Europe: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, United Kingdom
• Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Asia: Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore
• Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

English is also used a lot in places like Brunei, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, even though it is not an official language there.

English as a global language

See also: English in computing, International English, World Englishes, World language, English as a second or foreign language, Englishisation, and Euro English

English is spoken in many places around the world. It is often called a "world language" and helps people from different countries talk to each other. It is not the official language in most countries, but it is commonly taught as a new language to learn. English is the official language for flying planes and talking on ships at sea. It is also one of the official languages of the United Nations and many other big groups, like the International Olympic Committee. It is also spoken on the International Space Station along with Russian.

People study English most in the European Union. Many Europeans think English is a very useful language to learn. In some countries, like the Netherlands, almost everyone can speak English. English is also the most common language for science books and articles, and it is used a lot in publishing and on the internet.