Here's a breakdown to help you understand:
Before European Colonization:
* Native American Languages: Thousands of languages were spoken across the continent, ranging from the Inuit in the Arctic to the Hopi in the Southwest. Some, like Cherokee and Navajo, had written systems.
After European Colonization:
* English: The arrival of colonists from England brought their language, which eventually became the dominant language. However, English in America evolved differently from English in England, developing its own dialects and vocabulary.
* Other European Languages: French, Spanish, Dutch, German, and Swedish were also brought by colonists, and some communities maintained these languages for generations.
* African Languages: Slaves brought from Africa introduced their languages, which influenced American English, particularly in music and slang.
* Immigration and Multiculturalism: America has always been a land of immigrants, and today, people speak hundreds of languages across the country. The most common non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
Therefore, there is no single answer to your question. "How people spoke in America" depends entirely on *who* you're talking about, *where* they lived, and *when* they lived there.