English: This was the dominant language spoken by the majority of colonists, primarily due to British influence.
Other European Languages: A significant number of colonists came from other European countries, bringing their languages with them. This included:
* Dutch: Spoken by settlers in New York and New Jersey.
* German: Spoken by a large population, particularly in Pennsylvania, as well as other areas like the Carolinas.
* French: Spoken by settlers in Louisiana, parts of the Midwest, and other areas along the Mississippi River.
* Spanish: Present in Florida and some parts of the Southwest, due to Spanish colonization.
* Swedish: Spoken by a small but influential group of settlers in Delaware.
* Scottish Gaelic: Spoken by some settlers in the Appalachian region.
* Irish Gaelic: Spoken by some settlers in the Appalachian region and other areas.
Indigenous Languages: Of course, the United States was originally home to a wide array of Indigenous peoples who spoke various languages. While English was rapidly becoming the dominant language, many Indigenous languages remained vibrant and important to their communities.
It's important to note:
* Language usage varied geographically. Certain languages were concentrated in specific areas.
* The exact percentage of speakers for each language is difficult to pinpoint accurately due to the lack of detailed census data at the time.
* The use of languages other than English declined over time, although some survived and even saw a resurgence in recent years.
Overall, the linguistic landscape of the US in 1776 was diverse and reflected the complex history of its founding.