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Which language family has the largest number of speakers in Europe, and what is the language?

a) Germanic language family, German language
b) Romance language family, Spanish language
c) Germanic language family, English language
d) Slavic language family, Russian language

User Nastasia
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1 Answer

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Final Answer:

Germanic language family, English language. Thus the correct option is (c).

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of speakers in a language family is a key factor in determining the most widely spoken language in a given region. In Europe, the Germanic language family, specifically the English language, boasts the largest number of speakers. English is not only the primary language in the United Kingdom but also holds significant influence as a global lingua franca. With over 375 million native speakers and an additional 1.5 billion who speak it as a second language, English surpasses other contenders in the region.Thus the correct option is (c).

The Germanic language family, to which English belongs, includes languages spoken across Western and Northern Europe. While German is also a prominent member of the Germanic family, English takes the lead in terms of the sheer number of speakers. This linguistic dominance can be attributed to the historical and global impact of the British Empire, as well as the influence of the United States in the modern era. English has become a language of international business, science, and diplomacy, further contributing to its widespread use.

In contrast, the other options—German, Spanish, and Russian—represent powerful languages within their respective language families, but they do not surpass the English language in terms of the overall number of speakers in Europe. The global significance and reach of English position it as the primary language in Europe with the largest number of speakers

User Phamductri
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