...Will this change in the future, in the next 100, 50, 20 or even 10 years? Which language(s) may come to dominate in the future?’
22 March 2022
Throughout recorded history, a number of languages have served as most important for communication across cultural and linguistic barriers. The term lingua franca (free language) describes languages systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a first language. The most important modern example is English, which is the current dominant lingua franca of international diplomacy, business, science, popular culture, technology and aviation, but many other languages serve, or have served at different historical periods, as a lingua franca in particular regions, countries, or in special contexts.
Which language takes on this role depends on such factors as political and cultural power. In the ancient Middle East, Akkadian, the language of the Mesopotamian empires, was also the language of diplomacy throughout the near East, including Egypt, until the beginning of the Iron Age.
Greek and Latin each served a similar role as a lingua franca from around 500 BCE until the Middle Ages in the territories of the Greek and Roman Empires. During the Middle Ages, the lingua franca was Greek in the parts of Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa where the Byzantine Empire held power, and it was Latin in the rest of Europe. It’s important to note that although Latin remained in existence as a lingua franca, the language used for everyday communication changed in different ways in different parts of the former Roman Empire over time, so that various distinct Romance languages (languages derived from Roman Latin) gradually emerged, including French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian. Over time, Latin lost its importance as a lingua franca in Europe and other languages took over – for example, French – which became the language of diplomacy and culture; and German – which became the language of science and technology until the first part of the 20th century. In other parts of the world, there are other languages that have served and continue to serve as a lingua franca, for example, Swahili in southern Africa.
What is unique about English in contrast to the languages discussed above is that English is a truly global lingua franca – the language most widely spoken throughout the world. In fact, the vast majority of English speakers are not 'native' speakers. Of the approximately 1.5 billion people who speak English, less than 400 million use it as a first language. That means over 1 billion speak it as a secondary language.
On the one hand, although it is never possible to predict with certainty how long a language may serve as a lingua franca, the political, scientific and cultural importance of countries where English is the first language, and the extraordinary amount of international communication currently undertaken in English shows no sign of reduction or replacement by another lingua franca. On the other hand, advances in technology are likely to make automatic 2-way translation in real-time for communication between speakers of different languages a reality within the next 10 years or so – and with that technology, there will be a greatly reduced need to learn English as a global language for international communication, as people will be able to just use their own languages to communicate with speakers of other languages. For those interested in language, linguistics and international communication – we are living in unprecedented times.
FAQs
What is unique about English in contrast to the languages discussed above is that English is a truly global lingua franca – the language most widely spoken throughout the world. In fact, the vast majority of English speakers are not 'native' speakers.
What is the de facto language in the world? ›
In countries that do not formally designate an official language, a de facto national language usually evolves. English is the most common official language, with recognized status in 51 countries. Arabic, French, and Spanish are also widely recognized.
Is English considered a global language? ›
Apart from the countries where English is used as the official language, English is the second most popular language in many countries around the world. As a result, when native and second language speakers are considered, English is the most spoken language with 1.8 billion speakers globally.
What is the de facto universal language? ›
English has become the de facto universal language in today's world, bridging cultures from all corners of the globe. This spread has come about due to various factors that have propelled it forward over time such as its use in popular culture, technology, and business.
Will English always be the global language? ›
The increasing importance of the regional context and the possible deterioration of internationalism, might force English to free up space for these regional lingua francas. So, there you have it. Will English remain the dominant global language? Yes, at least for the foreseeable future.
What is de facto and de jure in English? ›
De facto is defined as a state of affairs that is true in fact, but that is not officially sanctioned. In contrast, de jure means a state of affairs that is in accordance with law (i.e. that is officially sanctioned).
Where does de facto come from? ›
Etymology. Unadapted borrowing from Latin dē factō (literally “according to fact”), from dē (“according to”) + ablative of factum (“fact, deed, act”).
Who said English is a global language? ›
... According to Crystal (2003) , English is the predominant language taught globally, with more than 100 countries providing education in English as a Foreign Language (EFL).
When did English become a global language? ›
Modern English has spread around the world since the 17th century as a consequence of the worldwide influence of the British Empire and the United States.
Where is English a global language? ›
Besides the major varieties of English—American, British, Canadian, Australian, Irish, New Zealand English—and their sub-varieties, countries such as South Africa, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago also have millions of native speakers of dialect continua ranging from English- ...
De facto is Latin for "of fact," meaning "in reality," and it's usually contrasted with "de jure," which means "of law," or "officially." If you're the de facto mayor of your town, you're acting as mayor, even though you weren't legally elected.
Is English de facto in the US? ›
The United States does not have an official language at the federal level, but the most commonly used language is English (specifically, American English), which is the de facto national language. In addition, 32 U.S. states out of 50 and all five U.S. territories have declared English as an official language.
What is de facto working language? ›
A de facto language (/də ˈfæktəʊ ˈlæŋ(g)wɪʤ/) is an individual language that is used for official purposes within a jurisdiction, but is not a de jure official language. English is the de facto language of both the United Kingdom and the United States, rather than being an official language.
What is the impact of English as a global language? ›
The importance of English and the multitude of benefits it offers underscore its role as a global language. By learning English, individuals become not only proficient in a language but also global citizens who promote diversity, inclusivity, and the power of understanding.
What is the future of English as a global language? ›
Demand for English will remain strong; it will continue to be the global lingua franca for now. The way people use English is changing, with social media in particular altering the balance between formal and informal language and learning.
Is English losing popularity? ›
In a study published today in the journal Science, David Graddol, an expert in the development of languages, calculates that by 2050 the number of native English speakers will have fallen to about 5 per cent of the world's population, from about 9 per cent in 1950.
What is the most diplomatic language? ›
English in diplomacy
Among the diplomatic languages English is the most popular; it is the first choice amongst the masses and the elite alike.
What countries is Spanish an official or de facto national language? ›
Nationally, Spanish is the official language—either de facto or de jure—of Argentina, Bolivia (co-official with 36 indigenous languages), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico (co-official with 63 indigenous languages), Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay (co- ...
How many countries have Spanish as an official or de facto language? ›
Official or national language
Spanish is the official language (either by law or de facto) in 20 sovereign states (including Equatorial Guinea, where it is official but not a native language), one dependent territory, and one partially recognized state, totaling around 442 million people.
Is there a country that only speaks Latin? ›
Latin is no longer a regularly spoken language today. When it is spoken, it is usually in the context of liturgical purposes for the Roman Catholic Church. The only country that would use this language on any kind of a regular basis would be Vatican City when mass is read.
