April 23 marks the annual global observance of the United Nations English Language Day. The UN observance day, which is specifically set aside to inculcate respect, promote awareness, history, culture, and achievements associated with the language, was first celebrated in 2010. The Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Global Communications, establishing language days for each of the Organization's six official languages. The purpose of the UN's language days is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization.
There are 360 million native speakers of English in the world, making it the 3rd most widely spoken. English is the official language in 67 sovereign states and 27 non-sovereign entities. A lot of this is due to the former British Empire. English does not have official status in the United States (there is no official language in the United States). Due to its status as “The Language of Business,” English is learned by many worldwide as a second language.
Ten Fast Facts about the English Language:
There is no word in the English language that rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.
English is the official language of the sky – all pilots speak in English on international flights.
“E” is the most commonly used letter in the English language.
Nigeria has more English speakers than the United Kingdom.
There are 24 different dialects of English in the United States.
“Pronunciation” is the most mispronounced English word.
The word “checkmate” in chess comes from an Arabic phrase, “shah mat”, which means “the king is helpless.”
More words start with “S” than any other letter.
Eighty-nine percent of people in Sweden speak English.
Two of the shortest completed sentences in the English language are “Go.” and “I am.”
