Презентация Сл Варга (2)

1. Languages of the United Kingdom

2. English Language: Status and Features

English is the dominant language of the
United Kingdom, spoken by the vast
majority of the population — about 98% of
residents. However, it is worth noting that
there is no legislatively established official
language at the national level in the UK.
English has de facto status as the national
language, meaning it is used in all official
spheres due to historical and practical
reasons.

3. Welsh Language

Welsh (Cymraeg) is the most widespread of the UK's
indigenous languages. It belongs to the Celtic group
and is the only language in the United Kingdom that
has de jure official status. In 2011, a law was passed
granting Welsh official language status in Wales.
Welsh is actively used in education, media, and
government administration, which contributes to
its preservation and development.
538,300
Welsh speakers
in Wales (2021
census)
862,700
28%
Total people able
to speak Welsh
Of Wales'
population

4. Scottish Gaelic Language

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) also belongs to the Celtic
group of languages. It is currently a national
minority language, spoken by about 57,000 people
in Scotland. Gaelic is most widely spoken in the
Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides, but many
speakers also live in large cities such as Glasgow
and Edinburgh.
Education
Gaelic is taught in schools, ensuring the
language is passed to younger
generations.
Media
Gaelic media exist, supporting daily use
and cultural visibility of the language.
Official Status
In 2025, a law came into force giving
Gaelic official status in Scotland
alongside English and Scots.
Despite its status as an endangered
language, active measures are being
taken to revive it.

5. Irish Language

Irish (Gaeilge) is an officially recognised language in
Northern Ireland. About 124,000 people in Northern
Ireland speak it, where it has official status alongside
English. The Irish language has deep historical and
cultural significance and is supported through the
education system and cultural programmes.

6. Scots Language

Scots belongs to the West Germanic group
of languages and is the closest relative of
English. It is spoken by about 1.5 million
people in Scotland. The status of Scots
remains a matter of debate: some linguists
consider it a separate language, while
others regard it as a dialect of English.
Nevertheless, it is recorded separately in
population censuses, which highlights its
cultural significance.

7. Cornish Language

Cornish (Kernowek) is a unique example of the
revival of a dead language. This Celtic language,
spoken in Cornwall, was considered extinct as a
language of everyday communication by the end of
the 18th century.
20th Century Revival
Official Recognition
A movement began to
revive it, and today
several hundred
enthusiasts speak it.
Cornish has been
officially recognised as a
national minority
language.

8. Immigrant Languages

The United Kingdom is a multinational country, so
immigrant languages are widely spoken on its territory.
According to the 2021 census, about 5.6 million people
in England and Wales do not have English as their first
language. In total, over 300 languages are spoken in the
UK, making it one of the most multilingual countries in
Europe.
Key Immigrant Languages
The most common immigrant language is Polish,
spoken by about 612,000 people in England and Wales.
Other widely represented languages include Romanian,
Punjabi, Urdu, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, and
Gujarati. Hindi and other South Asian languages are also
widespread, due to historical migration links between
the United Kingdom and its former colonies.

9. Regional Languages and Dialects

In addition to the languages mentioned above, there
are many regional dialects of English in the UK,
which have significant phonetic, lexical, and
grammatical features. These include, for example,
Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cornish dialects, as well as
the dialects of London and other regions.
Regional Dialects
Yorkshire, Lancashire,
Cornish, and London
dialects each carry distinct
phonetic, lexical, and
grammatical features.
British Sign Language
British Sign Language (BSL)
also occupies an important
place in the linguistic
landscape and is used by a
significant part of the
country's deaf population.

10. Conclusion

Thus, the linguistic situation in the United Kingdom is a complex
and multi-layered system.
English Dominance
On the one hand,
English absolutely
dominates in all
spheres of life, which
is consistent with the
country's status as
the homeland of this
global language.
Indigenous
Languages
On the other hand,
indigenous languages
survive and are actively
supported; they are an
important part of
cultural heritage and
national identity.
Immigrant Diversity
Furthermore, the
modern UK is a
country of immigrants,
which brings a
diversity of languages
from around the world
into its linguistic
landscape.

11. Thanks for your attention!