London is undoubtedly a melting pot of cultures, and one of the most diverse cities in the world. People from all corners of the globe flock to London to make it their home. With such diversity, it’s no surprise that several languages are spoken in London.
So how many different languages are spoken in London? Well, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), over 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. This statistic makes London one of the most linguistically diverse cities on the planet.
The most commonly spoken language in London is English. However, there are several other languages that are widely spoken by communities in London. Some of these include:
Polish
Polish is an increasingly popular language in London, with over 1% of people identifying it as their main language. This rise can be attributed to migration from Poland since it joined the European Union in 2004.
Bengali
Bengali is another popular language spoken in London, with over 0.8% of people identifying it as their main language. It’s mainly spoken by people from Bangladesh and parts of India.
Arabic
Arabic is a widely spoken language worldwide and has a significant presence in London too. Over 0.6% of people identify Arabic as their main language, with many coming from countries like Syria, Iraq and Morocco.
Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese has seen a significant increase in popularity over recent years due to China’s growing influence on the global economy.5% of people identify Mandarin as their main language.
French
French is another popular language that’s widely spoken across various parts of London, with over 0.4% identifying it as their main language.
These are just some examples; there are several other languages spoken in London, including Turkish, Spanish, Portuguese, and Urdu. The diversity of languages in London is a testament to the city’s cultural richness and openness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, London is a city with an incredibly diverse population. Over 300 different languages are spoken in the city, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities globally. The presence of so many different languages is just one of the many things that make London such a unique and exciting place to live and visit.