What Language Is Spoken in Canada? A Guide to Common Languages

If you are planning to study or reside in Canada, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What language is spoken in Canada​?” Understand the country’s languages can help you prepare for your travel. Find out the answer in this article by Thao & Co.

What language is spoken in Canada​?

Based on official statistics, there are more than 200 languages spoken across Canada. Among them, English and French are recognized as the official languages of the country.

1. 🥇 English: This is the primary language for 76.1% of Canadians. Though there are differences in pronunciation, in general, Canadian English follows the same grammatical rules as British English.

1. 🥈 French: Spoken by approximately 22% of Canada’s population, primarily used in Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and certain other regions.

1. 🌟 Other languages: About 1.8% of Canadians speak languages other than English or French as their main language.

In most parts of Canada, you can comfortably communicate in English. However, if you plan to study or work in regions like Quebec, you may need to learn French.

Top 5 languages spoken in Canada

According to Statista, the 5 most common languages in Canada are:

1. 1️⃣ English: Approximately 87.1% of Canadians are proficient in English, with most living in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
2. 2️⃣ French: Spoken by 29.1% of the population, primarily in Quebec, as well as parts of New Brunswick and Ontario.
3. 3️⃣ Mandarin: Used by 4.2% of the population, primarily among Chinese immigrants.
4. 4️⃣ Spanish: Spoken by 3.2% of the population, mostly within Latino immigrant communities.
5. 5️⃣  Punjabi: Used by 2.6% of the population, mainly Punjabi Indian communities.

Besides, Canada is home to many other languages, including Arabic, German, Italian, and Tagalog, as well as several indigenous languages.

Why is French an official language in Canada?

In 1608, France established Quebec City as a colony. During that time, the French settlers played a crucial role in its development. By the mid-18th century, around 70,000 people in the region spoke French.

After that, England invaded and took control of Canada’s provinces. Despite this, the French-speaking population remained dominant in Quebec. To prevent conflict, the British government passed the Quebec Act, allowing residents to continue using French.

When Canada officially became a country in 1867, Quebec was one of its four founding provinces. To uphold equal language rights, the government later introduced the Official Languages Act in 1969, recognizing French as one of Canada’s two official languages—a status it still holds today.

Frequently asked questions about languages in Canada

Below are answers to some of the most common concerns regarding the question, “What language is spoken in Canada?”

1. Does Canada use British or American English?

Canada has its own distinct form of English, known as Canadian English, which blends aspects of both British and American English:

1. + Spelling: Follows to British English
2. + Pronunciation: Similar to American English
3. + Vocabulary: A combination of both British English and American English

2. What language do people in Quebec speak?

About 85% of Quebec’s population speaks French as their primary language. However, many residents can also communicate effectively in English.

3. What language do people in Toronto speak?

As Canada’s largest city, Toronto is highly multilingual. The majority of residents speak English, and many are also proficient in French.

4. In what language should I submit my Canada visa application?

If you’re applying for a visa to visit, study, work, get married, or settle in Canada, all required documents must be translated into English or French by qualified translators.

Check out Thao & Co.‘s Canada visa application translation service, handled by expert linguists to ensure accurate and reliable translations.

With our services, you’ll enjoy:

1. 🌟 Quick turnaround, within 48 hours for standard documents
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So, what language is spoken in Canada​? We hope this guide has answered your questions! In short, English is widely spoken, so language barriers aren’t a major concern for most travelers.

Looking for professional translation services? Fill in our Get a Quote form for fast and reliable support from Thao & Co.!