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Learn about the diversity, distribution and history of languages around the world. Find out how many languages there are, which ones are the most widely spoken, and which ones are endangered or extinct.
List of official languages. See also: List of languages by the number of countries in which they are recognized as an official language. This is a list of official, or otherwise administratively-recognized, languages of sovereign countries, regions, and supra-national institutions.
Mar 28, 2024 · 1. Chinese — 1.3 Billion Native Speakers. Numbers vary widely — Ethnologue puts the number of native speakers at 1.3 billion native speakers, roughly 900 million of whom speak Mandarin — but there’s no doubt it’s the most spoken language in the world.
Language is a structured system of communication that consists of grammar and vocabulary. It is the primary means by which humans convey meaning, both in spoken and written forms, and may also be conveyed through sign languages.
List of languages by total number of speakers. List of sign languages by number of native signers. List of languages by the number of countries in which they are recognized as an official language. Number of languages by country. Languages used on the Internet.
LanguageNative Speakers (in Millions)Language FamilyBranch941486380345May 6, 2024 · Language is a system of conventional symbols by which humans communicate, express identity, and create culture. Learn about the features, functions, and diversity of language from Britannica's experts.
Learn about the diversity, history and challenges of languages around the world. Find out how many languages there are, which ones are most spoken, hardest to learn, endangered or artificial.
