what is the most spoken language in the us
Languages of the United States Many languages are spoken, or historically have been spoken, in the United States. Today over 500 languages are used by the U.S. population. The most commonly used language is English (specifically, American English), which is the de facto national language of the United States. Since the 1965 Immigration Act, Spanish is the second most common language in the country. The United States does not have an official language, but some state governments recognize specific languages. For instance, the state government of Louisiana offers services and documents in French, as does New Mexico in Spanish. There are many languages indigenous to North America or to U.S. states or holdings in the Pacific region. Hawaiian, although having few native speakers, is an official language along with English of the state of Hawaii. Alaska officializes English and twenty native languages.
English-speaking world Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to as a "world language", the lingua franca of the modern era,[17] and while it is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a foreign language.[18] It is, by international treaty, the official language for aeronautical[19] and maritime[20] communications. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations and many other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee. It is also one of two co-official languages for astronauts (besides the Russian language) serving on board the International Space Station.[citation needed]
Languages of the United States Many languages are spoken, or historically have been spoken, in the United States. Today over 350 languages are used by the U.S. population.[3][4] The most commonly used language is English (specifically, American English), which is the de facto national language of the United States. Since the 1965 Immigration Act, Spanish is the second most common language in the country. The United States does not have an official language, but 32 state governments out of 50 have declared English to be one, or the only, official language. The government of Louisiana offers services and most documents in both English and French, as does New Mexico in English and Spanish. The government of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, operates almost entirely in Spanish, even though its official languages are Spanish and English. There are many languages indigenous to North America or to U.S. states or holdings in the Pacific region. Hawaiian, although having few native speakers, is an official language along with English of the state of Hawaii. Alaska officializes English and twenty native languages.
Washington, D.C. A 2007 report found that about one-third of District residents were functionally illiterate, compared to a national rate of about one in five. This is attributed in part to immigrants who are not proficient in English.[110] As of 2011[update], 85% of D.C. residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a primary language.[111] Half of residents had at least a four-year college degree in 2006.[106] D.C. residents had a personal income per capita of $55,755; higher than any of the 50 states.[112] However, 19% of residents were below the poverty level in 2005, higher than any state except Mississippi.[113]