In an increasingly interconnected world, learning a new language has become both a necessity and a hobby for millions. Duolingo, one of the most popular language-learning platforms globally, recently released its 2023 Language Report, and the data reveals fascinating patterns about which languages are being studied the most in each country. A stunning map by Amazing Maps visually captures these trends, showing a colorful linguistic landscape across the globe.
🌍 A World Learning English
It’s no surprise that English dominates the map. As the most spoken second language and a global lingua franca, English is the top language studied in most of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Europe. For countries where English isn't the official language, it often represents a gateway to better economic opportunities, education, and global communication.
🇪🇸 Spanish on the Rise
Spanish holds a strong presence across North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, where it is the most studied language. Its popularity is also evident in several Nordic countries and the Philippines. This trend reflects not only the growing Hispanic population in many parts of the world but also the global cultural influence of Spanish-speaking countries through music, film, and cuisine.
🇫🇷 French Remains Strong
French continues to be a favorite in many parts of Africa, especially in regions with historical or colonial ties to France. It also appears in parts of Europe and the Caribbean. French’s cultural prestige and its role as an official language in numerous international organizations likely contribute to its continued appeal.
🇩🇪 German’s European Influence
German stands out in parts of Eastern Europe and neighboring countries. As the most spoken native language in the European Union and with Germany being an economic powerhouse, the language attracts learners seeking academic, professional, and travel-related opportunities in the region.
🇯🇵 The Allure of Japanese
Japanese, marked in red, is the most studied language in countries like South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. Its popularity can be attributed to Japan's rich cultural exports—anime, manga, video games, and cuisine—as well as strong economic ties across Asia.
🇰🇷 Korea’s Soft Power
Interestingly, the most studied language in China is Korean. This could reflect the growing global impact of Korean pop culture—K-pop, K-dramas, fashion, and food. The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, continues to sweep across Asia, bringing with it a desire to understand the language and culture more deeply.
🧠 What Does This Map Tell Us?
This map is more than just a list of favorite languages—it’s a reflection of cultural influence, migration patterns, historical ties, and the aspirations of language learners around the world. Whether people are learning English for career advancement, Spanish to connect with a growing global community, or Japanese out of love for anime, language learning continues to bring the world closer together.
If you’re on your own language-learning journey, this map might just inspire you to pick up a new language—or keep going with the one you’ve chosen.
Let me know in the comments: which language are you learning and why?
Sources:
Map: Amazing Maps (Instagram: @amazing__maps)
Data: Duolingo 2023 Language Report
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