7. Portuguese, around 263 million speakers. Source: Visual Capitalist
As the official language of Portugal and Brazil, among others, Portuguese bridges continents, echoing its historical roots in exploration and maritime trade.
6. Bengali, over 272 million speakers. Source: Visual Capitalist
Predominantly spoken in Bangladesh and parts of India, Bengali is enriched with a vibrant literary heritage and a history of artistic contributions.
5. Arabic, approximately 315 million speakers. Source: Forbes India
Standard Arabic serves as a lingua franca across the Arab world, essential not only for communication but also for appreciating rich literary traditions.
4. Hindi, more than 341 million speakers. Source: iDISC Home page
Hindi is not just India's primary language; it's a crucial link in Bollywood's global influence, offering a window into an exuberant culture and cinema.
3. English, about 380 million speakers. Source: iDISC Home page
Dominating business, technology, and internet domains, English's role as a global lingua franca makes it perhaps the most influential language today.
2. Spanish, over 480 million speakers. Source: iDISC Home page
From Europe to the Americas, Spanish carries its melodious tones across 21 countries, making it one of the most studied languages worldwide.
1. Mandarin, a staggering 1.12 billion speakers. Source: iDISC Home page
The most spoken language globally, Mandarin is central to China's cultural and economic framework, making it a key language for global business and cultural understanding.