The Most Spoken Language in the World Is English with 1.8

question 135

Multiple Choice

The most spoken language in the world is English with 1.8 billion speakers, but only 18% are native (by comparison, the next-most spoken language-standard Chinese-has 1.345 billion speakers and 63% are native) . This relatively recent change has followed globalization. How does increased globalization explain why so many people choose to learn the same language as a second language?

• A) Globalization creates an incentive for people to learn other cultures.
• B) Globalization began a standards war of languages; English won.
• C) Globalization made it cheaper to learn new languages thanks to gains from trade.
• D) Globalization expands the network of English speakers.

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Definitions:

Allopatric Speciation

Model that proposes that new species arise due to an interruption of gene flow between populations that are separated geographically.

Geographic Separation

The physical separation of populations by geographic barriers that lead to the formation of distinct species over time.

Reproductive Isolation

A set of mechanisms that prevent different species from mating or ensure that any offspring produced are sterile.

Fruit Flies

Small flies used extensively in genetic research due to their short life cycles and well-understood genetics, often of the species Drosophila melanogaster.