Which is the most widely spoken language in the world?

Question

I saw something on another thread which reminded me of a question I have had for a long time. Mandarin is generally considered to be the most widely spoken language in the world but I assume these figures are based on native speakers. I then wondered how popular English is as a second language and how many people speak it sufficiently to be considered "English speakers". My point is obviously that if there were enough second language English speakers in the world surely that would make English the most widely spoken language. But then how do we judge the level at which someone becomes an "English speaker"???

Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Mandarin is generally considered to be the most widely spoken language in the world, but the language spoken by the most amount of speakers. The most widely spoken language is clearly English, and the second one is arguably Spanish, followed by French, although it all depends on how you look at it, and what areas you consider.

Including those speak English as a second language, the numbers are less than Mandarin, but people who can speak some English surely must outnumber Mandarin.

..but what if you were to add in all those native Mandarin speakers who also speak some English:-) Actually I do not even know if English is at all wide-spread in China, but the thought crossed my mind...hence the comment. - Janice, Aug 21, 2009

My native language is Chinese, myself sporken: mother tongue, Mandarin, Cantonese. For your confused I could tell, in China, most of the first line cities kids had been taght Mandarin and En since primary school,but they people don't wanna talk in Enlish. - ammiezhuang, Jun 14, 2011

Because mlost of Chinese parents haven't practice with kids in English. So young generation(born 1980s) everybody study well and know English. How many people are they in the first line cities, I have no ideal yet. But they are all Mandarin speakers. - ammiezhuang, Jun 14, 2011

Answer 2

It was once said that the sun never sets on the British Empire.

English is the 'native' language in the United States, most of Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Falkand Islands (Islas Malvinas), and is present and in use in much of India, islands of the South Pacific, other nations throughout Africa and the middle east as well as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and of course the many military bases of the United States around the world.

I am sure that I left out some countries or areas in there somewhere.

Answer 3

I am going to jealous people who can speak English and Spanish around the world.

Answer 4

The most widely spoken language is spanish! It is spoken almost all over the world. it is spoken is Africa, Mexico and almost every school in America!!!

Answer 5

people who can speak some English surely must outnumber Mandarin.

That for me is the point. Where do we put the line when qualifying someone as an English speaker. The lower we put it the more English speakers we have but from personal experience I know people who know some English but really couldn't be considered English speakers.