World lingua franca

Schumacher   Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:14 pm GMT
We know that English, Spanish and French are World lingua franca. They are the most studied languages Worldwide and official in all the World organizations.

My question is the next: Which other languages can be added to this group?

German, Russian, Chinese and Arabic are lingua franca in a big area but out of this area, their influence and study are very minoritary.

For example it is very strange that a person from North Korea and another from Uruguay speak in Arabic, for instance. I don't know if they can be considered really World lingua franca.
zhopa   Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:30 pm GMT
There is only one world lingua franca - English. There cannot be a second world lingua franca otherwise that would mean the first is not a lingua franca.
Guest   Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:26 am GMT
English is not a lingua franca completely. If a Brazilian and an Argentinian want to communicate they will speak Spanish or a kind of Portunhol rather than English. Swedes and Germans will use German to speak to each other instead of English and many other cases where people speaking different languages don't need to use English as last resort could be cited as well. I think that English acts as a lingua franca mostly when a Westerner has to deal with an Asiatic or a person from other parts where they don't have any knowledge of European languages appart from English.
Shoemaker   Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:49 am GMT
English, French, Russian, and Arabic are the only ones that can be considered as lingua franca.

Spanish is not, because no two non-hispanic nationalities use Spanish as common language to facilitate communication. Spanish are just used by Spaniards and Hispanic Americans and no one else.
Schoenmaker   Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:50 am GMT
English, French, Russian, and Arabic are the only ones that can be considered as lingua franca.

Spanish is not, because no two non-hispanic nationalities use Spanish as common language to facilitate communication. Spanish are just used by Spaniards and Hispanic Americans and no one else.
khrem   Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:15 am GMT
<<Spanish is not, because no two non-hispanic nationalities use Spanish as common language to facilitate communication. Spanish are just used by Spaniards and Hispanic Americans and no one else. >>

It is used between Paraguay (Guaraní speaking) and Bolivia (Quechua and Aymara speaking).
barbablù   Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:18 am GMT
This thread is stupid and useless
khram   Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:21 am GMT
<< It is used between Paraguay (Guaraní speaking) and Bolivia (Quechua and Aymara speaking). >>

Oh yeah, but they were under Spanish rule that's why. But have you heard a Romanian/Moldovan and Portuguese/Brazilian speak Spanish to each other? No and never just French.
khrem   Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:43 am GMT
Portuguese and Brazilian use Portuguese.

Romanain and Moldovan use Romanian.
khram   Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:46 am GMT
<< Portuguese and Brazilian use Portuguese.

Romanain and Moldovan use Romanian. >>

Improve your English and review the real context of my last message.
tyah   Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:45 am GMT
<<But have you heard a Romanian/Moldovan and Portuguese/Brazilian speak Spanish to each other? No and never just French. >>

They would use English. At least if they are anyone of any worth, like scientists or engineers.
abc   Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:05 am GMT
Guys calm down. English is the only World lingua franca nowadays. That's a fact. In the future this situation may change. There are also some important regional languages.
world order   Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:20 pm GMT
The languages hierarchy is like this:

1. World lingua franca: English

2. Auxiliary lingua franca: Spanish

3. Regional languages: Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian

4. National languages (major ones): German, Dutch, Italian, French, Polish, Japanese, Korean
banana   Mon Feb 02, 2009 3:38 pm GMT
The languages hierarchy is like this:

1. World lingua franca: English

2. Auxiliary lingua franca: Spanish

3. Regional languages: Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Russian

4. National languages (major ones): German, Dutch, Italian, French, Polish, Japanese, Korean

This order is rather ridiculous, Spanish is not an auxiliary lingua franca. French is not at the same level of Dutch or Korean:-) In addition Italian is used as a lingua franca in many mediterranean areas. French is spoken in many African northern countries
Guest   Mon Feb 02, 2009 4:39 pm GMT
In addition Italian is used as a lingua franca in many mediterranean areas

Hahaha, so funny.