The Most Common Non-English Languages Spoken in the UK Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) FAQs

The UK is an incredibly diverse and multicultural place to live. There are a wealth of different nationalities that call the UK their home, and therefore this means that aside from English, which many people speak, there are lots of other languages that are spoken in the UK.  

Of these, the most common non-English language that is spoken in the UK is Polish. It is thought that as many as 1% of the UK population speaks Polish. There are a possible variety of reasons for this to be the case, however, it is thought that it is down to the significant number of Polish people that live in the UK and the thriving Polish immigrant community that has built up over time throughout the UK. 

There are approximately 700,000 people in the UK who speak Punjabi. This means that Punjabi is one of the most widely spoken non-English languages in the UK. There is a wide Punjabi community in the UK, however many of these communities and therefore, where this language is spoken, are found in London and the West Midlands.  

Urdu is one of the most spoken non-English languages in the UK. The language is spoken by around 400,000 people and is mostly spoken by those in Pakistani and South Asian communities. 

Whilst Urdu is spoken throughout the UK, it is usually found in cities, due to the large communities of people, this includes London, Birmingham and Manchester too.

Bengali is a significant language spoken within the Bangladeshi community and as these communities find themselves growing and thriving in the UK, this has seen Bengali become a widely spoken language in the UK.  

Bengali is spoken by over 300,000 people in the UK and many of these people are found in the Tower Hamlets area of London.  

Another non-English that is found to be particularly prevalent in the UK is Gujarati. Whilst other languages can be found spread throughout the UK, this particular language is most concentrated in cities, particularly London and Leicester. 

Despite there being smaller pockets of communities speaking this language, there are still approximately 240,000. 

Unlike some languages that are spoken in the UK, Arabic has both cultural and religious significance in the UK. There are over 230,000 people in the UK who can speak Arabic and the community that is Arabic-speaking is hugely diverse. This is because people from a variety of Arab countries will all speak this language. 

Considering how close France is to us in the UK, it is surprising that not many people speak French here in the UK. It is thought that around 200,000 people speak French in the UK and is most commonly found in London and other more urban areas in the UK.  

The majority of French is spoken for culture, however, it is also spoken for diplomacy and is spoken within and between international organisations.  

One-third of all the languages spoken in the world are found in Africa. It is thought that there are as many as 2000 different languages spoken there. In the UK, there are many of these African languages spoken, however, the most common is Yoruba,  

The Yoruba community in the UK is mostly found in London and it is thought that around 80,000 people speak this particular language, with the majority of them being in this large community. 

Another community that has seen an increase in the UK is the Turkish-speaking community. This has meant that Turkish has become a commonly spoken language in the UK.  

Many of the 150,000 Turkish speakers in the UK are found in London, however, they are also out in the more urban areas, including other cities and smaller towns.

Spanish is a language that is commonly heard and spoken in the UK. Not only is it prevalent in cities, where people will have often moved to the UK from Spanish-speaking countries, but it is also taught in English schools too.  

Spanish is taught because it is an important language to speak when it comes to international connections as well as cultural exchanges. This has led to as many as 120,000 people in the UK being able to speak Spanish as a second language, or it being their first language.

There are many benefits to learning another language here in the UK. Whilst we do speak English here predominantly, and many other countries are aware of English and can speak it, this doesn’t mean that we should not be making an effort to explore our language abilities. 

Learning a new language can help you to feel culturally enriched and can also be an incredibly practical way to expand your personal life and your professional career.  

This is why several language resources and learning opportunities are provided for learning another language. This includes language schools, courses and even online resources, all of which can prove to be incredibly helpful when it comes to expanding your knowledge of languages from around the world.  

Many people who move to England think that they will simply only ever need to speak English whilst they are working here. However, this is not the case. Whilst many people will need to be dual or bilingual to work in the UK, this is not always the case. 

In fact, in the UK, it is common to use non-English languages in many workplaces, especially those that are diverse in their client base and business contacts. Considering that many companies are actively looking for staff members who can be seen as multi-lingual, you can find that having language skills will enhance your chances of getting new jobs and moving on with your career. 

Here in the UK, there is a definite desire to ensure that there is a sense of culture and diversity. Particularly when it comes to linguistic diversity. 

This means that non-English languages are preserved and promoted up and down the UK. These include things such as cultural events, language schools and other community organisations that are centred around language.  

All of these can help to ensure the vitality of linguistic diversity.

There are a whole host of great benefits to having multilingualism here in the UK. The first thing it does is help to ensure that the UK has a variety of global economic connections. This includes global trade, tourism and cultural exchanges. 

Not only this, but the multilingual UK ensures that those who are looking for work, no matter where they are in the world, have the option to be able to bring their skills and knowledge to the UK, without language being a barrier to this. 

Much of the language learning that happens in the UK is when you are at school, however, this does not mean that you cannot learn a non-English learner as an adult. The answer to this question is absolutely yes, you can learn a non-English language as an adult in the UK. 

Learning a new language is not only useful, but it is also an enriching experience. Many people who take the time to expand their language skills are going to be able to experience new things, move on with their careers and simply feel better about their abilities too.  

There are several ways that an adult can learn a new language, this includes language courses, language exchange programmes and self-study resources.  

A common question is how language impacts cultural identity in the UK and it is important to know that language has a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of the UK as a whole.  

Language can reflect the heritage and history of a variety of communities in the UK and it also ensures that the key values of these communities can also be shared.  

Not only this, but language is a way for cultures to take pride in who they are and what they bring to the UK (and the wider world of course) it also allows people to connect. They can form bonds and create a true sense of community too. Especially important if they have moved to the UK and away from their family, their friends and their familiarity.

The answer to this is yes, throughout the UK you will find both language services and interpreters that are designed for a variety of non-English languages. The types of areas where you may find these services include healthcare, legal settings and a variety of public services. 

The reason for language services and interpreters is to ensure that the non-English speaking person can understand fully what is happening to them, what is needed from them and what the plans are. They can also easily share information and answer questions that relate to their situation. All with a reduced chance of there being any misunderstandings. 

Whilst the standard language here in the UK is English, several regional dialects are also spoken. This includes local phrases, words and accents that can help to create a regional dialect.  

These are different and it can sometimes be trickier to understand, but, for the most part, people throughout the UK can understand one another, even when they are not from the same part of the country. 

It is important that here in the UK we support and promote non-English language diversity as much as we can. This is because it helps to ensure that those who are not English-speaking feel that they are welcomed and that their particular skillset is going to be accepted and utilised. 

There are several ways that this can happen. You can attend cultural events and community-organised events, this will help you to speak to and communicate with people who speak a variety of languages, as well as gain an understanding of them (albeit basic).

You should always show those who are non-English speaking with respect and appreciation and recognise the importance of language diversity here in the UK.  

There should be efforts to encourage inclusivity and ensure that no matter the languages that people speak, they can openly communicate with one another and with one another.  

Being multilingual here in the UK can bring a wealth of benefits that you may not even realise. The first thing that it can do is to ensure that you, as a person, have a deeper cultural understanding of the world around you. Which is always positive.  

Another thing that it can do is to help you forge more global connections, which, in turn, can help to develop job opportunities all around the world.  

It is often thought that those who are multilingual can problem solve better than those who are not and have a much broader perspective of the world and where they fit in with it.