English as a global language

Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to as a "world language", the lingua franca of the modern era.[8] While English is not an official language in most countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. Some linguists[who?] believe that it is no longer the exclusive cultural sign of "native English speakers", but is rather a language that is absorbing aspects of cultures worldwide as it continues to grow. It is, by international treaty, the official language for aerial and maritime communications.[citation needed] English is an official language of the United Nations and many other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee.

English is the language most often studied as a foreign language in the European Union (by 89% of schoolchildren), followed by French (32%), German (18%), and Spanish (8%).[33] In the EU, a large fraction of the population reports being able to converse to some extent in English. Among non-English speaking countries, a large percentage of the population claimed to be able to converse in English in the Netherlands (87%), Sweden (85%), Denmark (83%), Luxembourg (66%), Finland (60%), Slovenia (56%), Austria (53%), Belgium (52%), and Germany (51%).[34] Norway and Iceland also have a large majority of competent English-speakers.[citation needed]

English is not de jure an official language of Israel; however, the country has maintained official language use a de facto role for English since the British mandate. English is mandatory in all Israeli schools and universities, and the majority of the population can speak, read, and write English. [1] [2] [3] [4]

In many Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Cambodia, English is the most popular second language being learned.[citation needed]

Books, magazines, and newspapers written in English are available in many countries around the world. English is also the most commonly used language in the sciences.[8] In 1997, the Science Citation Index reported that 95% of its articles were written in English, even though only half of them came from authors in English-speaking countries