3 ms·
My litmus test for a global language is: do a non-trivial amount of places cater to people who only speak that language? english is obviously a Yes. Mandarin a
by AznHisoka 7y ago
My litmus test for a global language is: do a non-trivial amount of places cater to people who only speak that language? english is obviously a Yes.
Mandarin and every other language is a no, even in the USA unless you live near a Chinatown. The only possible exception is Spanish. So there are just 2 global languages in my eyes.
- AznHisoka 7y agoThis is the only practical definition there is of a global language. The others are purely theoretical and intellectual. Practicality trumps all.
- wawaygfuyre 7y agoThen Mandarin should be because countries that get a lot of Chinese tourists will do non-trivial work to cater to them.
- ptaipale 7y agoThat is a very recent and not yet a very strong phenomenon, but yes, we're heading that way.