Language
A linguistics expert predicts when Spanish will surpass English in the US, it’s sooner than you think
Unlike nearly every country on the planet, the United States has no official national language.

There has always been a significant Spanish-speaking population in the United States, a consequence of the Spanish Empire that colonised huge parts of the Americas from the 15th century onwards.
The Spanish language took root in the lands that they conquered and those links have continued to the modern day. Most countries in Southern and Central America now have Spanish as the dominant language.
More than 600 million people worldwide speak Spanish and that number is growing. Some studies even suggest that Spanish could overtake English as the United States' dominant language one day.
When will Spanish surpass English in the US?
Linguist Humberto López Morales has studied the rate of population change in the United States to get a better understanding of how Spanish will become increasingly common. His research is cited by Spanish-language publication La Razon which claims that Spanish could be the dominant language in the US by 2050, just 25 years away.
The report adds: “Today we are 5.7% of the world population. By 2030, 7.5%, and by 2050, if trends do not change, 10% of the planet will understand Spanish.”
These findings are not out-of-step with current demographic trends. Data from the US Census Bureau found that the Hispanic population accounts for around 71% of the national population growth in the United States.
Traditionally the Hispanic population in the United States was heavily skewed towards the southern states, bordering Mexico and closer to Central and South American. That is still true, with New Mexico, California, Texas and Arizona all boasting a Hispanic population of at least 30%. But things are changing as younger generations become more assimilated in the country and choose to live in different places.
Although Spanish remains the ‘home language’ for many Hispanics, there is undoubtedly a broad trend of greater movement and greater assimilation.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.