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English is the world's most spoken language. But how did that come to be? Some tie the dominance of the language to the spread of British colonialism, the prevalence of American hegemony, or the global distribution of media and other popular culture productions stemming from Hollywood. Technically, those are all true.
In a political climate of anti-immigrant sentiments in the West, the relationship toward English is changing. Some nations, like the United States, are using the language as a ticket to belonging, while others are using the English language as a marker of exclusion.
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In March 2025, President Donald Trump designated English as the official language of the United States through an executive order.
This is the first time that the United States will have an official language attributed to it. This may be surprising, to the international community given that it's the largest English-speaking nation in the world.
But it’s the root of this decision that is under examination. Namely, the domination of the English language from a historical and contemporary analysis.
In the United States, the vast majority of its citizens do indeed speak English. Just under 80% of Americans only speak English at home.
The issue with Trump’s executive order and how it speaks to the broader political climate is defining what it means to be American, with English at the center.
This move is not symbolic. It has material requirements that accompany its implementation. Federal agencies and funding will be shaped by this order.
In the United States, those who do not dominate the English language have access to assistance to seek federal support.
This means that until now, millions of Americans were able to access government services, regardless of their ability to speak English.
The numbers aren’t small. Approximately 8% of Americans do not have a strong grasp of the English language, which means that access to critical information will be seriously impaired.
But what’s behind the policy? What makes this move so troubling, and how does it relate to the domination of English beyond American borders?
By defining English as the language of Americans, Trump defines belonging in the country. English then becomes a marker of being American. It is an act of exclusion.
The dominance of the English language is key to understanding American politics, but also international geopolitics and culture.
Rosemary Salomone, author of the book ‘The Rise of English: Global Politics and the Power of Language,’ gives an explanation of English domination.
The story begins with British imperialism. British colonialism is no doubt a major driving force behind the historical spread of English.
However, in British colonies, the majority of the population in these countries didn’t speak English. In fact, it was a language primarily reserved for a country’s designated elite.
The fall of the British Empire occurred simultaneously with the rise of American relevance, in terms of its economic, social, and military influence.
The “soft power” of American culture is given particular attention in Salomone’s analysis, as the consumption of American media has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Hollywood productions, mostly spoken in North American variations of English, had a major role in spreading the language around the world.
The influence of film and TV seeped into the teaching of the English language around the world, as more schools moved toward teaching North American English.
English slang is integrated into a great deal of other languages. Expressions such as “wow!” or “bye!” can be heard sprinkled into people’s everyday conversations in their native languages.
Economically, English has a significant value within the global economy. Multinational companies boost this around the world.
Parents around the world understand the market value of learning English, enrolling their children in private courses and encouraging their mastering of the language for future professional prospects.
Interestingly, English is losing its geographic reference. Previously tied to American hegemony, it’s slowly detaching from that link primarily due to the country’s foreign policies.
Instead, English has been simplified as a common language of communication from a pragmatic perspective.
Interestingly, in the West, where anti-immigration debates are rocking nations, multilingualism, particularly the use of English, has been seen as a source of conflict. Pictured is Geert Wilders, a Dutch anti-immigrant politician.
Many nations in Europe and beyond have integrated English as a common second language among their populations. In turn, European cosmopolitanism has attracted multiculturalism.
English has infiltrated advertisements, information, and even everyday speak. Some have begun to associate their negative sentiments toward immigrants with the growth of the English language in their countries.
The rise of nationalism that has accompanied anti-immigration movements has almost vilified English-language taught programs in universities and other English-language diversity.
Ironically, this is occurring among populations that largely dominate the language and often utilize it for their own economic benefit.
Sources: (MSNBC) (Global Dispatches) (‘The Rise of English: Global Politics and the Power of Language’)
See also: The oldest words in the English language
The complex geopolitics of the English language
Social, economic, and political implications of English
LIFESTYLE Sociology
English is the world's most spoken language. But how did that come to be? Some tie the dominance of the language to the spread of British colonialism, the prevalence of American hegemony, or the global distribution of media and other popular culture productions stemming from Hollywood. Technically, these are all correct.
In a political climate of anti-immigrant sentiments in the West, the relationship toward English is changing. Some nations, like the United States, are using the language as a ticket to belonging, while others are using the English language as a marker of exclusion.
Curious to find out more? Click through the gallery for more information.