English West Germanic language About 325 million native speakers Britain 56 million the USA, 232 million Canada, 24 million australia new Zealand 17 million The sole official language in more than two dozen countries The most important language of commerce The most widely learned second languageEnglish West Germanic language About 325 million native speakers: Britain, 56 million the USA, 232 million Canada, 24 million Australia & New Zealand 17 million The sole official language in more than two dozen countries The most important language of commerce The most widely learned second language