British languages

The official language and most common language used in the UK is English, as you may have guessed. About 98% of the nation's nearly 65 million residents who call it home are native English speakers. However, other regional languages that have developed throughout UK history are also widely spoken today. In the UK, three other languages are recognized as official first languages:

• Scottish in Wales
  
• Scots and Gaelic in Scotland
  
• Ulster Scots and Irish in Northern Ireland
  
• English Cornish in Cornwall
  
  

Keep in mind that there are regional accents and dialects for each of these languages in the UK. Consequently, the UK has a sizable amount of linguistic diversity. These languages are less widely spoken than English. Some of them may even be in danger of going extinct entirely. For instance, the bulk of the native population in Wales spoke Welsh long ago, but current estimates indicate that only 20% of the country's population now does. Additionally, their numbers are steadily decreasing. Numerous laws have been passed in the past with the goal of preserving and promoting this language.

Scottish, a Celtic language, is primarily spoken in the nation's north. Scottish is the second most spoken language in the UK, with an estimated 1.5 million speakers. Some contend that the Scottish language is simply a dialect of English, despite being treated as a separate language from English.

Another language spoken by a much smaller population in the UK, primarily in England, is Cornish. It is a member of the British language family's Celtic branch. There are about 3,000 fluent speakers of Cornish, according to various studies. This language is thought to have formerly been a component of Welsh before beginning to distinguish itself over time. Today, there are very slight parallels between it and Welsh.

The UK has long been a major center for immigration since it is a powerful political and economic nation. People who go to the UK to live continue to speak to one another in their home tongue. As a result, numerous additional languages are spoken by various smaller minorities in the UK. For instance, it is estimated that 300 different languages are spoken in London.