English.
First Language: 400 million.
Second Language: 1400 million.
Total: 1.8 billion.
Official Language: 53 countries.
Wiki Quote: 'Modern English, sometimes described as the first global lingua franca, is the dominant international language in communications, science, business, aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy.'
Other Stuff: English is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world. 87% of Dutch people, 85% of Swedish, and 83% of Danes can speak English to some degree.
When combining native and non-native speakers it is probably the most commonly spoken language in the world, though possibly second to a combination of the Chinese languages. Difference being, of course, those Chinese languages are spoken in... China. English travels around the world with you.
So, in short, its the daddy.
Now Welsh.
First Language: 750,000
Second Language: Gavin Henson.
Total: 750,001
Official Language: 1 country. And thats a principality. (Its Wales btw)
Wiki Quote: 'The most recent census figures (2001) presented in "Main Statistics about Welsh" by the Welsh Language Board, indicate 582,400 (20.8% of the population of Wales in households or communal establishments) were able to speak Welsh'
20%. Can speak Welsh. In Wales.
Other Stuff: The total effect the Welsh language has upon the world is making the road signs in Wales slightly bigger.
So, in short, LET IT GO!
