Here are some key factors and their implications:
1. Number of native speakers:
* Mandarin Chinese: Has the most native speakers (~939 million), making it the most spoken language by this metric.
* Hindi: Comes in second with around 602 million native speakers.
* English: Ranks third with approximately 379 million native speakers.
2. Total number of speakers (native and non-native):
* English: Holds a significant lead here, with approximately 1.5 billion total speakers. This is due to its widespread use as a second language, particularly in business, education, and international communication.
* Mandarin Chinese: While having the most native speakers, its total speaker count is likely lower than English due to its relatively smaller non-native speaker base.
* Hindi: Has a substantial total speaker count, but likely less than English, considering its limited non-native speaker base compared to English.
3. Geographic spread:
* English: Is spoken across the globe, having major influences in North America, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world.
* Mandarin Chinese: Is primarily concentrated in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, with a smaller presence in other countries.
* Hindi: Is primarily spoken in India, Nepal, and some other countries in South Asia.
4. Influence and prestige:
* English: Holds a significant position as a global language, heavily influencing other languages, culture, and various fields such as science, technology, and media.
Conclusion:
While Mandarin Chinese boasts the highest number of native speakers, English is widely considered the most highly spoken language due to its massive total speaker count, global reach, and influential role in various aspects of modern life.
However, the definition of "highly spoken" is subjective and can be interpreted differently based on the chosen criteria.