What Countries Speak Mandarin? The Answer May Surprise You
When you think of Mandarin, you probably think of China. But the world's most spoken language is also an official tongue in Taiwan and Singapore, and it boasts vibrant communities…
Tag: official language
The Billion-Dollar Dialogue: How a Nation’s Language Policy Shapes Its Economy
Beyond culture and identity, a nation's language policy has a powerful, measurable impact on its economy. From Switzerland's multilingual GDP boost to the EU's single market, we explore how decisions…
“Je me souviens”: How the Fight for French Forged Modern Quebec
The motto on every Quebec license plate, "Je me souviens" (I remember), is the key to understanding the province's modern identity. It recalls a history where French was sidelined and…
The Emperor’s Fading Echo: The Precarious Survival of the Manchu Language
Once the official language of China's last imperial dynasty, Manchu is now on the verge of extinction with only a handful of native speakers left. This is the story of…
The Welsh Not: A Controversial Practice in the History of Language
Introduction The Welsh Not is a fascinating yet contentious chapter in the history of languages. It was a practice used in some Welsh schools during...
Are There Two Norwegian Languages?
Most people may be surprised to learn that there are two Norwegian languages: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Not dialects, mind you, but officially recognized and taught...
Spanish in Africa: The Story of Equatorial Guinea
Among the languages spoken across the vast continent of Africa, Spanish has a unique and intriguing tale. Unlike English, French, and Portuguese, which are commonly...