Facts About Languages

Did you know that there are over 2,700 languages and 7,000 dialects spoken around the world? Even more astounding is the fact that most of the world only speaks 4 of these languages: Chinese, Spanish, English, and Hindi.

Of these four, Chinese is the most spoken language around the world. It’s also one of the most complex, though you only need to know 1 out of every 25 characters to read a Chinese newspaper.

That’s great news if you’ve ever dreamed of learning a second language. There are many benefits to knowing another language, like boosting your brain power and slowing down the aging process.

Additionally, you’ll be doing  your part to save yet another language from dying out. Sadly, there are over 231 extinct languages throughout the world. Even worse, 2,400 of them are in danger of dying out.

Aside to learning words and phrases, studying another language teaches us fascinating facts about other cultures. South Africa, for example, holds the record for having the most official languages. In Japan, the words for four (shi) and nine (ku) are considered unlucky because they sound the same as the words for “death” and “pain or worry.”

Delightfully Geeky Language Facts, courtesy of Lighthouse