How many people speak Chinese language?

It's tricky to give an exact number for how many people speak Chinese, as it depends on how you define "Chinese language" and "speaker". Here's a breakdown of the complexities:

1. Chinese as a Single Language vs. Multiple Languages:

* Standard Mandarin: This is the official language of mainland China and is the most widely spoken variety of Chinese.

* Other Chinese Languages: There are many other varieties of Chinese, such as Cantonese, Wu, Min, Hakka, etc. These are considered separate languages by linguists, not just dialects.

2. Defining a "Speaker":

* Native Speaker: Someone who learned Chinese as their first language.

* Second Language Speaker: Someone who learned Chinese later in life.

* Passive Speaker: Someone who understands Chinese but doesn't speak it fluently.

3. Statistical Challenges:

* Varying Data Collection: Different organizations use different methodologies for collecting data, making comparisons difficult.

* Changing Demographics: The number of Chinese speakers is constantly changing due to migration, education, and other factors.

Estimates:

* Standard Mandarin: Approximately 936 million native speakers (according to the Ethnologue).

* All Chinese Languages: Estimated to be over 1 billion speakers worldwide.

Conclusion:

It's more accurate to say that over 1 billion people speak some form of Chinese, but the exact number is constantly fluctuating and subject to debate.