Who speaks English map. Language barrier: where in Europe they speak English

English is the second most spoken language in the world. It was surpassed only by the Mandarin dialect of Chinese, and only because China surpasses all powers in the world in terms of population. In different countries in different parts of the world you can hear English spoken. Most of them are English-speaking countries, a list of which will be presented in this article.

Language of the world

We can safely say that English has conquered the whole world. It is the language of international communication, politics, business, tourism, science, better education and many other areas of human life. It is the most taught throughout the world, and not just in countries where it is considered state. Since the 18th century, the native language of Great Britain has spread around the world along with its speakers, who explored and captured new territories, expanding their military, economic and cultural influence on them. Therefore, many modern English-speaking countries are former British colonies. The times of active expansion are long gone, but English has firmly established itself in these states, coexisting peacefully with the indigenous languages of the local residents. Anglophone, or English-speaking, countries are so called due to the fact that this language is one of the official or predominant languages in them. In addition to the sovereign states that will be represented on the list, there is also a considerable list of objects and territories that are dependent on other powers, in which English also predominates.

Europe and America

English in Europe is the official language of the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Canada, Ireland, and Malta. Although these countries have other official languages, English remains the dominant language, it is the language used to make laws, it is spoken in government, and it is the language used for most education. In general, it prevails in all major areas of life. In the United States, it is the official language of 31 states, but it predominates in all of them, both in the field of record keeping and at the everyday level. English is spoken in North American countries such as the Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Other English-speaking countries in America are Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Belize, and Guyana.

Extensive geography

Australia is a country where, in principle, there is no official language, but English is de facto one. Other English-speaking countries in Oceania: New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga and other small island states.

In Asia, besides India and the Philippines, Pakistan and Singapore are also English-speaking countries. English is also spoken in many African countries. These are South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Sudan, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and some others. Despite the official status of English in many of the listed countries, only a small number of citizens know it and speak it fluently. These are residents of large cities, well-educated people and those who are directly involved in the tourism business, such as service personnel. This is especially true for resort and island countries.

We are often asked: which European country is better to live in if you speak English well? And many have studied and speak German and show interest in the corresponding countries. Let's look at the language situation in Europe.

Malta is the main English-speaking country in the EU

Most wealthy people who want to live abroad permanently or temporarily are quite fluent in English. However, not everywhere in Europe you will be easily understood. According to statistics, this language is the most used in the EU, it is spoken by a third of all Europeans. German and French share second and third places (22% and 19%). The top 5 also includes Italian and Spanish (14% and 12%).

If we recommend European countries where English is very common and in which you will not have problems with understanding, then, first of all, pay attention to Malta. This country is very closely connected with the UK and is home to many English language schools. Not surprisingly, English is spoken by about 59% of the population.

It is important that in Malta you can obtain any status: residence permit, permanent residence or citizenship. Any of them will give you the right to reside in the country for an unlimited amount of time or not to reside at all (if desired). You will also be able to travel around European countries without visas, and with citizenship – all over the world. In addition, a Maltese passport allows you to live in any EU country without restrictions using a simplified registration procedure.

Scandinavians speak better than the English

If we talk about other European countries where English is actively used, then the Top 5 (except Malta) confidently include:

Sweden – 52% of the population
Denmark – 52%
Finland – 44%
Cyprus – 42%
Austria – 40%.

For comparison, in Russia about 15% of the population speaks and uses English.

Sweden is one of the most developed countries in the world. Foreigners joke that Swedes speak English better than the British. Many people want to move here, but Sweden is reluctant to issue residence permits to citizens of other countries. If you decide to settle here, having Maltese citizenship will be a big advantage.

Denmark and Finland are countries with a rather harsh climate, quite closed to foreigners, and therefore are not popular destinations among people wanting to move to Europe. But if you wish, the best way to get here is again to get a Maltese passport.

Cyprus, open to investors

In recent years, Cyprus has become a strong competitor to the English-speaking countries of Europe. This is natural, because here, just like in Malta, there is a citizenship program. Moreover, you can get a passport within just six months. Investors from all over the world take advantage of this opportunity, which is why English is actively used in Cyprus. Here you will be understood without any problems. By the way, Cypriot citizenship can also be used as a “pass” to other top-level European countries.

Austria: comfortable bilingualism

As for Austria, there is a unique bilingualism here that is not found in other countries. Of course, the main language is German, but, as we have already said, 40% of the population can communicate in English, because one of the main sectors of the economy here is international tourism.

By the way, in Germany 30% of residents are ready to speak English. Moreover, this applies to such large cities as Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich. Almost everyone there speaks English. But in small towns there may be problems with understanding in stores and gas stations.

Austria is a country that is equally suitable for living for people who speak English or German. And to get the right to live here, you need to take part in the state program for financially independent persons. If you fall into the quotas and have a relatively small amount in your bank account, you will receive a residence permit in Austria.

Important! Please note that it is the Austrian program that requires passing an exam on knowledge of the German language at a basic level. So if you only speak English, you will need to learn "basic" German. Or choose another country to live.

Countries where English is not spoken well

The Top 5 countries where it is most difficult to communicate in English are Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain and the Czech Republic. National languages are actively used here. This position of the population must be respected and taken into account when moving to Europe. If you want to move, you will have to learn the language.

For example, in Spain there is a state program for obtaining a residence permit for investment in real estate. It is very popular among foreigners and, in particular, Russians. Investors do not need to pass any language proficiency exam. However, keep in mind that it is still better to learn Spanish when moving here.

The same situation is in Portugal. Here you can get a residence permit for purchasing real estate, investing in securities or business, but 87% of the population does not speak English, and you will have to communicate in Portuguese.

It just so happens that in Europe, English is spoken best in Scandinavia, as well as in the small island states of Malta and Cyprus. But in Italy, France, and Eastern European countries, this language is not popular. Take this fact into account when planning your move.

Hello friends. English is considered an official language in 67 different countries and 27 non-sovereign entities. In addition, it is one of the main languages of business communication, as well as the official language of a number of the world's most important organizations, including the UN, NATO and the European Union.

Why are you learning English? For work, education, travel... It all comes down to communication, right? People who speak English feel confident not only at home, but also abroad. Especially in those countries where English is used not by tourists, but by the local population. Moreover, the English-speaking countries of the world have much in common not only in the language of communication, but also in culture as a whole.

At the same time, English-speaking countries often have a second or even a third official language. Tourists don’t need to know it, but imagine how much it will expand the boundaries of perception! After all, this is why we go on trips. Therefore, let's find out which countries use English as the main language, and what the Anglosphere is.

Major English-speaking countries

English is perhaps most often associated with the United States and Great Britain, the two largest English-speaking countries. The US is thought to have around 230 million native speakers, making it the largest English-speaking country, while the UK has around 60 million native speakers.

Despite having two official languages, Canada has the third largest English-speaking population, with around 20 million native speakers, followed by Australia with around 17 million.

Other notable countries in the world where English is the main language include Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand. Together, these three countries are home to approximately 13 million people whose first language is English.

Let's remember which countries are officially English-speaking, that is, English remains the main state language for them:

India (pop. 1,129,866,154)
USA (population 300,007,997)
Pakistan (pop. 162,419,946)
Nigeria (pop. 128,771,988)
Philippines (pop. 87,857,473)
United Kingdom (population 60,441,457)
South Africa (pop. 44,344,136)
Tanzania (pop. 38,860,170)
Sudan (pop. 36,992,490)
Kenya (pop. 33,829,590)
Canada (population 32,300,000)
Uganda (pop. 27,269,482)
Ghana (pop. 25,199,609)
Australia (pop. 23,130,931)
Cameroon (pop. 16,380,005)
Zimbabwe (pop. 12,746,990)
Sierra Leone (pop. 6,017,643)
Papua New Guinea (population 5,545,268)
Singapore (pop. 4,425,720)
Ireland (pop. 4,130,700)
New Zealand (pop. 4,108,561)
Jamaica (pop. 2,731,832)
Fiji (pop. 893,354)
Seychelles (pop. 81,188)
Marshall Islands (pop. 59,071).

This list does not contain the names of all, but the largest and/or most interesting for travelers countries in which English is the official language. However, be careful when using the term “official language.” Because each state, despite belonging to the imaginary “Anglosphere,” manages things in its own way. For example, the vast majority of Australians speak English, including government agencies that use it for work, but Australia simply does not have an official language.

But India, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines, which have large and multinational populations, consider English the official language, but not the only one - other official languages are used along with it.

Other countries where English is spoken

The map of the Anglosphere is motley and diverse. It is impossible to unite all English-speaking countries with common bridges and/or roads; they are too scattered around the world. But you can trace the spread of the English language around the planet. It originated in Great Britain, and its policies in the 18th and 19th centuries contributed to the spread of the English language throughout the world. Many of the countries where English is the official language are former British colonies. And even today, not all of them have become sovereign states. Here are the non-sovereign English-speaking countries of the world:

Hong Kong (pop. 6,898,686)
Puerto Rico (pop. 3,912,054)
Guam (pop. 108,708)
US Virgin Islands (pop. 108,708)
Jersey (pop. 88,200)
Bermuda (pop. 65,365)
Cayman Islands (pop. 44,270)
Gibraltar (pop. 27,884)
British Virgin Islands (pop. 22,643)
Falkland Islands (pop. 2,969)

These territories, and even the British Indian Ocean Territory with its population of 2,800 people, are not sovereign states. Their residents speak mainly English. Simply put, English-speaking people are called Anglophones (from the Greek “anglos” - English and “phonos” - sound). This collective term conventionally unites the entire English-speaking population of the Earth. And this, for a moment, is 510 million people.

Moreover, only 380 million have English as their native language, and another 130 million speak English fluently, but it is a second language for them, that is, they have learned it. Studying English in courses and/or on our own, we strive to join them, right? :)

Information for the curious

Most English words begin with the letter "S".
English is the official language in world aviation. On international flights and airports, pilots conduct all negotiations with air traffic controllers in English.
According to British Council data, approximately one billion people around the world are learning English.
About 90% of all electronic information in the world is stored in English.
The words that appear most often in English are “the” and “be”.
The most common English adjective is "Good".
The first English dictionary dates back to 1755.
The word “happy” is used 3 times more often than its antonym “sad”, so English can be called one of the most positive and optimistic languages.
An interesting word is “Queueing”, meaning to stand in line - the only word in English containing 5 vowels that follow each other.

Countries and nationalities in English

Everyone knows that English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is spoken by more than 430 million people in the world. Many people call it the language of politics and business, because in most countries it is official.

Today, every fifth person in our country speaks English at a minimum level, because it is recognized as international. It is studied in different countries of the world.

It became international due to its high demand.

List of countries where English is used for communication

In which countries of the world is English recognized as the national language?

State

Number of people living

Top 3 countries with the best knowledge of English among the population of other European countries

The largest English-speaking countries by population are:

. The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world. The state occupies 9,629,091 square kilometers. Officially, America consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia.

American English and British English differ phonetically and grammatically.

On the territory of the United States of America, the English language appeared in the 17th–18th centuries, when the mass migration of British colonists to America began. At that time, Indian peoples lived on the territory of the country, who used exclusively autochthonous names in colloquial speech. Along with the Indians, representatives of the Spanish and French nations also lived in the United States. It was the mixed population that influenced the formation and change of the English language into a variation of the American language. American English was fully formed within 400 years of its introduction to America.

Top 3 countries with the worst knowledge of English among the population of European countries

Noah Webster made a very significant contribution to the formation of the American language. It was this man who developed the phonetics, spelling and vocabulary of modern American English. He also published a dictionary of English words in 1828.

It is also worth noting that English has never been officially adopted as a state language in the United States, although it is official in 27 states of America.

Great Britain. This country is officially called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The country officially consists of 3:

Scotland.
Northern Ireland.
Wales.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland the official language is English, and in Wales the national language is Welsh.

The formation of the English language in Great Britain began with the arrival of the Celts on the territory of this state in 800 BC. In the 14th century, this language was officially recognized as literary. Gradually it was introduced for study in schools. In the period from the 14th to the 15th centuries, irregular verbs began to be introduced in Great Britain. This period in the history of the English language is called the “Great Vowel Shift.”

Canada. Today in Canada there are 2 officially recognized languages by the constitution - English and French. More than 67% of the population of this country speaks English.

In Canada, the English language appeared in the 17th century thanks to the arrival of English colonists.

Commonwealth of Australia. In Australia, English is recognized as the official language, which, thanks to the formation of a special Australian dialect, was called Strine.
Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located in West Africa and is the largest country in terms of population on the African continent.

In Nigeria, English was introduced during the years of British colonial rule.

Ireland. The English language was “brought” to Ireland, as to many countries in the world, by the British, who conquered the island and ruled it for almost 800 years.

Level of English in Europe

This state did not accept the English language for a very long time. They began to consider it “native” only in the 19th century after a lean year, which caused the departure of many indigenous people to the United States of America.

One of the major obstacles to moving to the country is the language barrier. One way or another, you will have to speak the local language and interact with the population.

However, at first, in most countries of the world, knowledge of English comes to the rescue. Selfmadetrip presents to your attention the Education First English Proficiency Index, which named the countries where this language is spoken as a native language.

Main conclusions

More than 750 thousand adults from 63 countries took part in the testing. Based on the results of the 2014 rating, the following conclusions were made:

All over the world, the level of English proficiency among adults is increasing, but this statement does not apply to all countries and peoples;
women master the language better than men, which directly affects their work activity;
Europe leads in terms of English mastery;
in most cases, countries in Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa demonstrate low levels of English proficiency;
Among Asian countries, the level of language acquisition is extremely heterogeneous: in some places it is very high, and in others there is complete stagnation;
there is a clear relationship between the degree of English mastery and quality of life, income level, business involvement, and Internet use and duration of schooling.

In general, European countries lead the overall ranking in terms of language proficiency index:

Denmark - 69.30
Netherlands - 68, 98
Sweden - 67, 80
Finland - 64.39
Norway - 64.32
Poland -64.26
Austria - 63.21
Estonia - 61.39
Belgium - 61.20
Germany - 60.88

Russia

Our country ranks 36th in the world and 22nd among European countries. Russians demonstrate a fairly low level of language proficiency: 50.43. At the same time, in federal cities it is much higher. Women's English proficiency is higher than that of men, and English proficiency among young people aged 18 to 24 is comparable to the global average. Information on indexing of all regions of the Russian Federation can be obtained. Thus, residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Vladivostok demonstrate the highest level.

English language and business

An increasing number of companies conduct their business in English. Those who resist this become uncompetitive. Companies such as Nokia, Rakuten, Renault and Samsung have made English their corporate language. There are several reasons why you should follow their example:

successful promotion in the global market;
minimizing losses due to misunderstandings;
increasing company profits.

English language and quality of life

In many developing countries, knowing English is seen as a luxury. It is taught at the proper level only in private schools and universities. This is largely because language proficiency plays a central role in future employment and professional success. Given the growing importance of English in the world, in 15 years, knowledge of English will be considered a mandatory requirement for job seekers. At the moment, the countries that are leading in the overall ranking of 2014 are also leading in the Human Development Index and the Economic Prosperity Index.