According to Ethnologue, there are currently 7,100 languages spoken around the world. More than 350 languages are spoken in the U.S. alone. While most Americans speak English, English is commonly mistaken as the official language of the United States. In fact, the U.S. doesn’t have an official language on record; a perfect representation of the rich culture in the U.S. Given this incredible linguistic diversity, it’s no question that translation services and interpreting services play a vital role in ensuring clear communication between different language groups.
Here are the 5 of the most spoken languages in the U.S.:
1. English
It should come as no surprise that English is the most spoken language in the United States; it is spoken by approximately 78% of the population, with more than 231 million speakers.
Though it isn’t the official language, it is the de facto national language. In the U.S., almost everything is in English, including the official currency, laws, and road signs. Additionally, most businesses use English as their primary form of communication.
2. Spanish
Spanish is undoubtedly the most dominant spoken language in the U.S. Since 1980, the U.S. has seen around a 233% increase in Spanish speakers. There are more than 37 million Spanish speakers and interpreters and translators are always available to provide support to those who need their assistance.
In terms of vocabulary, Spanish has greatly influenced American English, such as the names of numerous American cities and states (San Francisco, Nevada, El Paso, and more).
3. Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, and More)
During the Gold Rush of the 1800s, many Chinese immigrants moved to California with dreams of discovering gold. Chinese is becoming a well-recognized language in the U.S. with 3 million speakers, and its popularity is growing.
San Francisco became the first city to have a Chinatown, which is a term for an area with a high concentration of Chinese Americans. New York City hosts the largest population of ethnic Chinese outside of Asia, as there are 12 Chinatowns in the New York metropolitan area.
4. Tagalog (Filipino) And Translation Services
Tagalog is the 4th most spoken language in the U.S. Originating from the Philippines, Tagalog evolved into Filipino, which is what usually causes confusion. Filipino is the official language in the Philippines. There are approximately 1.6 million Tagalog speakers in the U.S., with the majority living in California, New York, and Hawaii.
5. Vietnamese And Translation Services
Vietnamese is one of the fastest-growing languages in the country — the number of speakers has increased by 500% since 1980. Vietnamese has become the fifth most popular spoken language in the United States. 1.5 million Vietnamese speakers can be found in the U.S., with California(39%) and Texas(13%) hosting the most Vietnamese-speaking individuals.
In this diverse culture, translation services are always needed. People need legal translation services when involved in a lawsuit. They need real-time interpreting services when they cannot understand an English-speaking doctor. For businesses, if they would like to win more market share from another culture, translation and localization services are a great help. Hiring a professional translation agency will solve most of the language problems in your life!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation, legal translation, government translation, international development translation, education translation, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com