Lost for Words? What a Second Language can do for you

"CZEŚĆH HALLO" Aello "IHOLA" "OLA" Bonjour b6 99 11 "Sat oiri akal" hyals hello Lost for WORDS? What a SECOND LANGUAGE Conld Do for You... Language defines nations, societies and cultures, yet also has the ability to unite even the most diverse individuals around the world. In fewer places is this more obvious than in Europe; with 24 languages recognised by the EU - and three different alphabets, no less - it's no surprise that knowing a second language can be a real asset. All it may take is a few minutes each day over a few months to learn a new and wonderful means of communication - yet many people never take the opportunity to do so. Do UK citizens truly realise the limits of the English language? Rosetta Stone takes a look at the importance of language both domestically and overseas to teach the islanders a thing or two about the applications of the spoken word, both on the continent and further afield. 9966 9966 9966 9966 ,66 9,66 9966 996 9966 9966 9966 9966 9966 + LANGUAGE According to a recent survey of Brits* who have learned a second language... *Suvey commiyioned by Rosetta Stone 58% 21% 42% 33% said it helpo you oaid it helpo you said it helpo oaid it helpo your you SEE THE WORLD DEVELOP YOURSELF EXPERIENCE CULTURE CAREER PROSPECTS 33% said it helped them experience cultures through media, such as film. TV or books: 21% of respondents said a second language was a key part in their 58% asserted that it made 42% claimed it allowed them to travelling and seeing the world much more accessible: personally develop more: career progress. I/ E YOU KNOW More Employane ED CulturedWI EDVATED héghly intelligent TRAVĚLLEDANGUAGES interesting OR MORE YOU ARE.. WELL 4ín5 THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN A LANGUAGE THE UK'S LANGUAGE PROFILE Not just plain English As far as the spoken word goes, Great Britain and Northern Ireland aren't just limited to English. Alongside home dialects Welsh, Scots, Irish, Gaelic and even Cornish, there are dozens of other languages that have crossed the Channel and are now spoken every day around the nation. If you want to make the most of a language but not leave the country, the top ten mother tongues, according to the 2011 Census, are.. POLISH PANJABI URDU BENGALI GUJARATI 546,000 speakers 273,000 speakers 269,000 speakers 221,000 speakers 213,000 speakers ARABIC FRENCH CHINESE PORTUGUESE SPANISH 159,000 speakers 147,000 speakers 141,000 speakers 133,000 speakers 120,000 speakers Molayalam OTHER Parsi TAMÍL AFRIKAANS Cantonese LANGUAGES FARSI Kashimiri CARIBBEAN CREOLE ENGLISH Pashto UKRIKA Vietnamese I WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL A SECOND LANGUAGE work best for yon? FiND OUT BELOW You may not travel further than mainland Europe, but knowing one of five key languages could present you with a great double-whammy combo: the ability to mix and work with the locals on the continent, as well as huge cultures and societies much, much further afield! Five languages from Europe with 125 million or more people worldwide using them as a first language are. ENGLISH SPANISH PORTUGUESE FRENCH GERMAN 200,000,000 speakers 1,000,000,000 450,000,000 125,000,000 125,000,000 speakers speakers speakers speakers 9966 9966 9966 9966 966 9966 9966 9966 66 9,66 9966 9,66 99 ENGLISH With one billion speakers, English is obviously a pretty popular mother tongue - but if you think it will get you everywhere you need to go. you may be disappointed! By taking a look at English's use across the world. you may realise how limited it is, even if many people take it upon themselves to learn it; maybe it's time to return the favour? MAJOR NATIONS WITH ENGLISH AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE* Highlíghted are conntries that use ENGLISH as the sole first language E UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES A AUSTRALIA I SPANISH By learning Spanish, you'd have access to countless countries in the Americas - even the US itself! While Spain is still the biggest country with de jure Spanish language status, the people of Mexico - which has nearly three times as many inhabitants - use it as the de facto dialect. MAJOR NATIONS WITH SPANISH AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE* Highlighted are the top three conntries which use SPANÍSH as the main language (by population) SPAIN COLOMBIA PERU O PORTUGUESE As empire-builders long before the British sailed the seven seas, the Portuguese spread their language throughout the world, particularly across the former East Indies - Macau and East Timor now adopt the dialect as an official option for that reason. While only two countries have it as the main go-to language. one of them happens to be the fifth most populous country in the world! MAJOR NATIONS WITH PORTUGUESE AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE* Híghlighted are conntries which use PORTUGUESE as the main language PORTUGAL O BRAZIL IFRENCH If you're looking for an exciting and exotic trip to central or West Africa, then French will undoubtedly come in handy for you. As far as the Western World goes, a nexus of states in Europe uses it readily. as does the Quebecois community of Canada. Several nations in South America were also founded with it - as was the Olympic Games, where it still serves as the gathering's first language wherever it's held! MAJOR NATIONS WITH FRENCH AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE* Highlighted are the top three conntries which nse FRENCH as the main language (by population) *| CANADA FRANCE DR CONGO GERMAN While Namibia doesn't make the list despite over two million people speaking German there - it was removed from the national register in the early 90s - this language is not just restricted to the European cluster listed below. Brazil has the largest German-speaking population outside of Europe, while there are communities in the US, Canada, Paraguay and even Belize that use it. MAJOR NATIONS WITH GERMAN AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE* Highlíghted are the top conntries which nse GERMAN as the main language (by populatíon) GERMANY SWITZERLAND E AUSTRIA RESOURCES Rosetta Stone. EUlanguage count Mttp://europa.eu/about-eu/facts-figures/administration/index_enhtm British cersus data http://www.ons.gov.uk/ona/rel/census/2011-census-analysia/langusge-in-england-and-wales-2011/chd-figure-2.xls EU langusgebreskdownc http://europa.eu/about-eu/facts-figures/administration/index_en.htm Language statistics: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/s29791/language/292862/Most-widely-spoken-languages Natiors speakingeachlangusge: CIAFactbook 2013