Who Speaks English?

On page 4 of the Travel Section for Feb. 17, you have a very interesting item: “English is the official language in 63 countries, French in 40 and Spanish in 21.” I am amazed that English is the language of 63 countries. Perhaps you could list the countries.

GEORGE M. GRASTY

Whittier

Actually, depending on what one counts, there might be even more than 63. Does Great Britain, for example, count as one country or four: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales? Whatever the answer, here’s a list that actually totals 63:

Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Botswana; Cameroon; Canada; Dominica; Fiji; Gambia; Ghana; Grenada; Guyana; India; Jamaica; Kiribati; Liberia; Malawi; Malta; Mauritius.

Also: New Zealand; Nigeria; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa.

Plus: Swaziland; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Uganda; England; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Wales; Vanuatu; Western Samoa; Zambia; Zimbabwe.

Not to mention such British, Australian or New Zealand territories/possessions/dependencies as: British West Indies; Bermuda; Falkland Islands; Pitcairn Island; British Indian Ocean Territory; Hong Kong; British Antarctic Territory; St. Helena; Tristan da Cunha; Asencion; Gibraltar; Isle of Man; Channel Islands; Cook Islands; Norfolk Island; Christmas Island; Niue.