IR Theory

Navigating the complexities of international relations requires a diverse skillset, with effective communication at the forefront. Apart from active listening and other interpersonal skills, this often implies mastering multiple languages beyond your native tongue. 

If you aspire to reside or work overseas, having proficiency in at least one additional language is almost a given. 

So, which ones are worth investing your time in? Let’s delve into 15 significant ones:

#1. English

You are currently reading this piece in English, signifying your exposure to one of the most globally influential means of expression. As per Lingua Language Center’s research, approximately 1.45 billion individuals communicate in English, making it the official language of 67 nations. As of now, it remains the most spoken communication worldwide. 

English serves as the primary communication medium for powerful global entities like the United States, the United Kingdom, NATO, and the European Union. Moreover, it is one of the six authorized means of expression of the United Nations, along with being a working language of the Secretariat. In this context, ‘official’ languages are utilized for all UN formal documents, while ‘working’ ones facilitate communication among the UN personnel.

#2. Chinese (Mandarin)

Chinese, another UN-recognized language, boasts a staggering count of over 1 billion speakers. It is the primary communication of China, a colossal player in the global economy, despite the recent disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mastery of Mandarin can significantly enhance one’s employability in various organizations, ranging from businesses to universities. 

Besides mainland China, Mandarin is spoken in regions like Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore (as an official language), Malaysia, and Tibet. It also finds considerable usage in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria, and the United States, although many Chinese speakers in these places prefer Cantonese, a popular dialect.

#3. French

French, one of the UN’s original authorized languages, historically enjoyed the status of “the language of diplomacy.” Presently, it’s a functional verbal expression for the UN Secretariat, along with serving as both an official and working vocal communication for organizations like the EU, UNESCO, NATO, the International Red Cross, and international courts. 

French is spoken by nearly 300 million individuals, making it the official language (or one of the official languages) in 29 countries, including France, Belgium, Niger, Haiti, Switzerland, and Canada, ranking as the fifth most widely spoken language globally.

#4. Spanish

Spanish, the national language of 21 countries such as Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Cuba, and Chile, is spoken by an estimated 534 million individuals, according to the Center. 

Additionally, it’s recognized as an official working vocal communication of the UN. Proficiency in Spanish proves beneficial for those in international relations, enabling connections with South American and European countries. Sectors valuing Spanish proficiency span translation/interpretation, education, tourism, diplomacy, trade, and transportation.

#5. Arabic

In 1973, the UN General Assembly declared Arabic as an official and functional language for the Assembly and its Main Committees. Subsequently, it was included as means of expression for other UN branches, such as the Security Council and Economic and Social Council.

As reported by the Center, Arabic is spoken by 372 million people and serves as the official language in 25 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Chad, Morocco, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Arabic proficiency is particularly beneficial for individuals involved in business, trade, and politics.

#6. Hindi

Hindi holds the status of one of India’s primary modes of communication, a country that boasts the world’s largest population, presumably over 1.4 billion. Citing World Atlas data, around 425 million individuals use Hindi as their first mode of communication, while 120 million resort to it as their second. 

Besides India, Hindi sees widespread usage in nations like Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, and the United States. Given India’s expansive economic landscape, Hindi proficiency offers significant advantages, especially in sectors like healthcare, farming, aviation, IT, and more. It’s also highly valued in academia and political institutions.

#7. Japanese

Recognized as Japan’s national mode of communication, Japanese caters to the linguistic needs of its approximately 124 million population as of 2022. The majority of the country’s residents, primarily ethnically Japanese, are well-versed in this language. 

Over the decades, Japan has propelled itself to the position of the world’s third-largest economy, driven by sectors like farming, manufacturing, and tourism. Japan’s active participation in international organizations like the UN, the International Labour Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Health Organization necessitates Japanese proficiency.

#8. German

German is spoken by approximately 130 million people worldwide, as reported by Class Tracks. As the first language for nearly 100 million individuals, it ranks 12th in the list of most widely used languages. In Europe, it’s one of the prevalent modes of communication and is officially recognized in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Luxemburg, all EU members. 

For those eyeing a career in international trade, German is particularly beneficial given Germany’s robust economic position. As of late May 2023, the country was experiencing industry growth, a flourishing job market, and accelerating GDP. Moreover, German is a popular choice for internet users.

#9. Korean

Korean is the national language of South Korea, spoken by around 77 million people. With its substantial contributions to the Internet and technology sector, South Korea has secured a strong position in the global market. As of 2023, it ranked among the top 15 global economies and stood as the 6th largest exporter. 

If you’re keen on exploring the technological domain in international relations, Korean proficiency could prove invaluable. Korean is also used in North Korea, China, and Japan.

#10. Turkish

Turkish is an official mode of communication in Turkey, Cyprus, and Northern Cyprus, spoken by nearly 85 million people, as per the Lingua Language Center. The U.S. State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship program recognizes Turkish as a crucial communication method concerning national security and health. 

In NATO, of which Turkey has been a member since 1952, the country boasts the second-largest military forces, following the United States. Turkish proficiency could be extremely beneficial if you aim to work in governmental, commercial, or nonprofit sectors.

#11. Punjabi

Punjabi, like Turkish, is labeled as a “critical” language by the U.S. State Department. With approximately 125 million speakers, it holds significance in India and Pakistan. Its name originates from the Pakistani province of Punjab. More than 30% of the Pakistani population consider Punjabi their native mother tongue. 

Given Pakistan’s international relations relevance, Punjabi proficiency is valuable. Industries of Punjab encompass farming, healthcare, tourism, film production, and more. Expertise in Punjabi interpretation/translation can be highly sought after in these domains.

#12. Urdu

Urdu, along with English, is recognized as official in Pakistan, where it is also regarded as the national means of communication. Approximately 170 million native speakers reside in India and Pakistan, while others are scattered across Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and various other global regions. 

In the global arena, Urdu is the 20th most commonly used native language. It shares conversational similarities with Hindi, so if you’re fluent in Hindi, you would only need to master Urdu’s unique written form. Urdu translation finds considerable demand in industries such as manufacturing, customer service, digital marketing, education, software, and tourism.

#13. Bengali

Bengali is the primary language for approximately 250 million individuals worldwide, serving as Bangladesh’s national means of communication. Additionally, it holds recognition in India’s constitution, with nearly 85 million Indians using it for communication. Bengali speakers are also prevalent in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East. 

Bangladesh has made significant strides in its economic growth, positioning itself as a crucial global partner, notably to the United States. The country partakes in diverse sectors like pharmaceuticals, footwear, agriculture processing, construction, shipbuilding, and more, making Bengali proficiency beneficial in commerce and global trade.

#14. Italian

Italian, with about 67 million native speakers, stands as the second most popular language in the EU. Globally, its speakers amount to around 85 million. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe recognizes Italian as official, and it serves as one of the Council of Europe’s working means of communication. 

Apart from Italy, Italian is also the authorized method of communication of Vatican City (alongside Latin) and San Marino. Furthermore, Switzerland acknowledges Italian as an official mother tongue. As Italy represents the third-largest economy within the EU and ranks among the world’s leading economies based on annual GDP, Italian proficiency can be highly advantageous.

#15. Ukrainian

Ukrainian, spoken by over 40 million individuals, is the national language of Ukraine. It’s also recognized and spoken in countries like Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Canada. Given Ukraine’s significance in Eastern Europe and its growing importance in fields such as agriculture, IT, and manufacturing, mastery of Ukrainian can prove beneficial in international relations and business sectors.

#16. Portuguese

Portuguese is the primary language for over 220 million people, making it the sixth most spoken means of communication worldwide. It’s the official language of Portugal, Brazil, and several African countries such as Angola and Mozambique. The significant influence of Brazil in Latin American politics and Portugal’s role within the European Union makes Portuguese a significant language to learn for international communication and business.

#17. Swahili

As widely spoken in Eastern Africa, Swahili boasts over 100 million speakers. It serves as a national or official language in several African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As Africa’s role in global affairs continues to grow, Swahili becomes an increasingly valuable communication method to learn, especially for those involved in international relations, public health, development work, or business in Africa.

#18. Dutch

Dutch is spoken by about 24 million people worldwide, mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Given the Netherlands’ role as a major global trading nation and the home of numerous multinational corporations, learning Dutch can open up opportunities in international business and trade.

#19. Indonesian

Indonesian serves as the official language of Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation globally. It’s spoken by over 230 million people. With Indonesia’s strategic location and growing economic power in Southeast Asia, proficiency in Indonesian can be advantageous in fields such as diplomacy, business, and tourism.

#20. Persian (Farsi)

Farsi, often known as Persian, is the primary means of communication of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, with about 110 million speakers worldwide. Considering the geopolitical significance of these regions, proficiency in Farsi can be highly beneficial for anyone involved in international relations, non-profit organizations, or government agencies.

Summarizing Table

Language	Description
English	Spoken by 1.45 billion, official in 67 countries
Chinese (Mandarin)	Spoken by over 1 billion, state language of China
French	Spoken by 300 million, official in 29 countries
Spanish	Spoken by 534 million, official in 21 countries
Arabic	Spoken by 372 million, official in 25 countries
Hindi	Spoken by 545 million, primary in India
Japanese	Spoken by 124 million, official of Japan
German	Spoken by 130 million, official in 4 EU countries
Korean	Spoken by 77 million, official in South Korea
Turkish	Spoken by 85 million, official in Turkey, Cyprus, and Northern Cyprus
Punjabi	Spoken by 125 million, significant language in India and Pakistan
Urdu	Spoken by 170 million, one of Pakistan’s official languages
Bengali	Spoken by 250 million, national language of Bangladesh
Italian	Spoken by 85 million, official in Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, and Switzerland
Ukrainian	Spoken by over 40 million, the national language of Ukraine
Portuguese	Spoken by over 220 million, official in Portugal, Brazil, and several African countries
Swahili	Spoken by over 100 million, official in several African nations
Dutch	Spoken by about 24 million, official in the Netherlands and Belgium
Indonesian	Spoken by over 230 million, official of Indonesia
Persian (Farsi)	Spoken by 110 million, primary language in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan

Conclusion

Gaining proficiency in any of these 20 languages can act as a key to countless opportunities, particularly for those invested in international relations, global business, or those envisioning a life or career overseas. 

Each one is embedded with unique cultural richness and holds significant relevance in the global arena. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, these languages stand as valuable tools. 

Ultimately, the learning choice should align with your personal, educational, or professional goals, taking into account the geopolitical, economic, and cultural importance of the regions where these languages are predominantly spoken.