As a linguistic expert with a keen interest in the global distribution and prevalence of languages, I have dedicated a significant amount of time to studying the intricacies of language use around the world. The question of which language is the most spoken is a fascinating one, as it encompasses not only the number of native speakers but also the reach and influence of a language through second-language speakers and its role in international communication.

English is often cited as the most widely spoken language in the world, particularly when considering the number of non-native speakers who use it for international business, science, technology, and diplomacy. It is the primary or secondary language for over 1.5 billion people globally. English has become the de facto language of the internet, with a majority of online content being in English. This widespread use has made English a crucial tool for global communication and a lingua franca in many parts of the world.

However, when we consider native speakers, Mandarin Chinese takes the lead. According to Ethnologue, Mandarin has almost 1.2 billion native speakers, with the vast majority residing in China. The language has a long history and rich cultural significance, deeply embedded in the daily lives of its speakers. Mandarin is the official language of China and Taiwan and one of the four official languages of Singapore.

Spanish is another contender, with over 460 million native speakers, primarily in Spain and across Latin America. It is the second most spoken language in terms of native speakers and is growing in popularity, especially in the United States where the Hispanic population is increasing.

Hindi and Urdu are often grouped together due to their linguistic similarities, with Hindi being the fourth most spoken language with over 341 million native speakers, primarily in India.

Arabic is the fifth most spoken language, with approximately 315 million native speakers, and it is the liturgical language of Islam and one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

Portuguese, Bengali, and Russian also make the list of the most spoken languages, each with significant numbers of native speakers and important roles in their respective regions.

It is important to note that the ranking of languages can vary depending on the criteria used. For instance, if we consider the total number of speakers, including second-language speakers, English might take the lead. However, when looking at native speakers alone, Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language.

In conclusion, the most spoken language in the world, when considering native speakers, is Mandarin Chinese, with English holding a significant lead when non-native speakers are included in the count. The global landscape of language is dynamic, with languages continually gaining or losing speakers due to demographic changes, migration, and shifts in cultural and political influence.

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The 10 Most Spoken Languages In The WorldChinese. Numbers vary widely -- Ethnologue puts the number of native speakers at almost 1.2 billion native speakers, roughly a billion of whom speak Mandarin -- but there's no doubt it's the most spoken language in the world. ... Spanish. ... English. ... Hindi. ... Arabic. ... Portuguese. ... Bengali. ... Russian.More items...read more >>