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# Long description

A figure with three slightly overlapping circles vertically aligned. These three circles are used to categorise nation states according to the status and use the English language has within them. The bottom circle is titled ‘The “Inner Circle”’ and lists some countries in which English is the first language of the majority of the population, where it is widely spoken and typically has official status. The countries listed are USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. On top of this is a circle titled ‘The “Outer Circle”’, which lists examples of nation states in which English is spoken as a second language by the majority of the population. In ‘Outer Circle’ countries, English typically has a significant role in some public domains, e.g. education, and it may have status as a second or first official language. The states listed are Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia. The top circle, finally, is titled ‘The “Expanding Circle”’ and lists some of those nation states in which English is increasingly used, e.g. in education, in business or in youth culture. These nation states are expanding in numbers, hence the term. The countries listed in this circle are: China, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia, Zimbabwe.