What The World Will Speak In 2115 ; A century from now, expect fewer but simpler languages on every continent
John McWhorter
The number of languages commonly spoken around the world will shrink from 6,000 to 600 in the coming century, as globalisation and urbanisation force competition and choice. Larger languages offer more opportunity, smaller languages smack of backwardness. English will remain the world’s common language, by virtue of having got there first. “If the Chinese rule the world, they will likely do so in English”