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There are two official languages in Britain: English and Welsh. Although not an official language, Scottish Gaelic is spoken in some parts of Scotland, as well as English.
English Language
English is the main language spoken in Britain and is also one of the most widely used languages in the world. Approximately 310 million people speak English as their first language, with a similar number speaking it as a second language. Modern English derives primarily from one of the dialects of Anglo-Saxon but has also been greatly influenced by other languages, such as French. There are many regional dialects and variations in the English language.
Welsh Language
In much of the rural north and west of Wales, Welsh remains the first language of most of the population. The number of people able to speak Welsh is increasing with bilingual education in schools being encouraged. Welsh is also now more widely used for official purposes and in broadcasting. There are also many more bilingual publications and most road signs are bilingual. The Government has also reaffirmed its committment to enhancing Welsh culture and developing greater use of the Welsh language. |
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