If you were asked to list countries where English is an official language, you might list Great Britain, or the USA, or maybe even Jamaica. However, English is an official language in only two of those. Before getting into which country does not hold English as an official language, we will need to define some terms. Without defining official language, you will not want to accept the answer as to which of these three countries does not hold English as its official language. An official language is defined by dictionary.net as “a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction.” An official language is recognized by law as a nation’s language. You will also need the definition of a de facto language. A de facto is defined by Merriam Webster as “being such in effect though not formally recognized.” So, a de facto language is the language commonly used, although it is not officially/formally recognized by the governing body.
English is also known as the lingua franca (trade language) of most of the world. This may be due to the expansion of English’s popularity due to colonization by the British Empire across the globe. From the Americas to India to Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Great Britain’s reach stretched for centuries. By World War 1, it had control of 25% of the world’s landmass and 20% of the world’s population. With so much dominance, they also controlled much of the world’s trade as well, which necessitated the use of English as the world’s trade language. After WWI, Great Britain lost much of its influence, but the influence of the English language lingered on.
With that in mind, take a look at the countries that have English as an official language recognized by law. They are organized by continents and regions. The country that you will not see is going to surprise you.
Africa
Botswana- land-locked country
Cameroon- country formerly colonized by France and Great Britain
Eswatini- landlocked country, formerly called Swaziland
Gambia– smallest country on the African continent
Ghana- 1st sub-saharan country to gain independence from Great Britain
Kenya- 3rd largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lesotho- a country completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa, gained independence in 1966
Liberia- a country established by free people of color from the United States prior to the Civil War
Malawi- Chichewa is the other official language
Namibia– one of largest producers of uranium
Nigeria- most populous African country, there are 250 ethnic groups and over 500 languages spoken
Sierra Leone- country in Southern Africa, 3rd largest natural harbor in world
South Africa- southern-most African country, it has 3 cities that serve as capitals
Tanzania- contains Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point
Uganda- landlocked country
Zambia-landlocked country in the middle of Central, Southern and East Africa
Zimbabwe- home of Victoria Falls
Asia
Singapore- sovereign island city-state, located in maritime South-east Asia
Atlantic Ocean
Bahamas- an archipelagic state consisting of 700 islands, cays, and islets
Bermuda- island, British territory
Turks and Caicos Islands- 2 sets of islands
Australia
Australia- the only country that is also a continent
Caribbean
Anguilla– island, British territory
Antigua and Barbuda– sovereign island country, between Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean
Barbados- island
British Virgin Islands- archipelago, British territory
Cayman Islands- islands, self-governed British territory
Dominica- island country
Grenada- island at end of the line of Grenadine islands
Jamaica- 3rd largest Caribbean Island
Montserrat- British territory in Carribean
St. Kitts and Nevis- world’s smallest sovereign federation, Commonwealth realm of Great Britain
St. Lucia- island country, only country named after a woman
St. Vincent and the Grenadines-island country
Trinidad and Tobago– southernmost island in Caribbean
Europe
England- country that borders with Wales and Scotland
Gibraltar- British territory on tip of Iberian Peninsula, borders with Spain
Malta- archipelagic island country in Mediterranean Sea
Northern Ireland- part of Great Britain
Republic of Ireland- southern part of Irish island
Scotland- part of Great Britain
United Kingdom- sovereign European country
Wales- part of the United Kingdom
Indian Ocean
Mauritius- island nation 1200 miles to the East of Africa
Seychelles-an archipelagic island country
North America
Canada (except Quebec)- country formerly colonized by France and Great Britain
Pacific Ocean
Fiji- archipelago of over 330 islands
New Zealand- island country, the land of the Kiwis
Papua New Guinea- island country
Solomon Islands- sovereign island state
Tonga- last existing indigenous monarchy
Vanuatu- developed due to volcanic activity
South America
Belize- country bordered by Mexico and the Caribbean
Guyana- borders Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, formerly colonized by France and Great Britain
Was there a country missing from the list? Perhaps from North America? The United States does not have an official language. English is the de facto language, but it is not officially recognized by the government as the official language of the United States. There was a bill introduced in the US Senate to make English the official language of the US, but it died in the subcommittee. Surprised?
