English boasts approximately 1.5 billion speakers globally, with 400 million speaking it as a first language and over 1 billion as a secondary language, making it the most widely spoken global language. Its prevalence as a lingua franca can be attributed to its origins in Great Britain and the expansive colonial reach of the British Empire. Former colonies adopted English due to educational systems established by colonial powers, and it is now recognized as an official language by 27 non-sovereign entities and 67 distinct countries. Moreover, English serves as the official language for significant international organizations like the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, further cementing its global importance.
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