Every April 23, the United Nations celebrates the English language. In 2026, the celebration included the third annual “Shakespeare at the UN,” a multilingual performance featuring actors from Japan, Ukraine, and Britain. It is streamed live on the UN Web TV and YouTube.
Interestingly, April 23 was not selected randomly. It marks both the birth and death anniversaries of the legendary William Shakespeare, whose plays and sonnets have shaped much of modern English.
English Language Day was established by the UN in 2010 as part of celebrating one of its six official languages. With more than 1.5 billion people speaking English worldwide, including 390 million native speakers, this is not a small internal event of the UN. It celebrates how English became central to global communication, trade, and diplomacy across the world.
In this blog, we will understand the importance of English Language Day, how the UN celebrates it, and why English translations have become a globally important language service.
What Is English Language Day?
English is one of the six official languages of the UN, the other five being Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. The UN introduced language days for each of these languages in 2010 to promote multilingualism and celebrate the culture, history, and literature tied to each of its official languages.
English holds a crucial position among the six official languages. Alongside French, it serves as the UN’s working language. This means that most of the day-to-day communication happens in either French or English.
Importance of April 23
The UN chose April 23 because it is traditionally recognized as both the birth and death anniversaries of the great playwright William Shakespeare. His influence on the English language is incomparable and goes far beyond his plays and sonnets. He is credited with introducing several words, such as “lonely,” “fashionable,” and “gossip.” He even gave us some iconic phrases like “love is blind” and “break the ice.”
His work not only reshaped English during a period when global communication was making giant strides but also influenced much of how people speak and write today. To this day, his plays are being adapted into films.
How Does the United Nations Celebrate English Language Day?
For the UN, English Language Day is a mix of cultural and educational events. Some traditions repeat every year, while others change based on the current theme.
- Book readings and literary discussions exploring English literature and its global impact.
- Poetry and quiz events that engage UN staff and the public with the language’s history.
- “Shakespeare at the UN,” an annual performance event now in its third year. It features performances of Shakespeare excerpts in multiple languages by actors from different countries.
- Photo booths and interactive displays, like the one set up at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. They invite people to share the language they speak.
In 2026, the “Shakespeare at the UN” performance featured actors from the UK, Japan, Ukraine, and institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. The scenes were performed in English, Chinese, French, Spanish, and sign language.
The whole act is a clear example of how the UN uses a single language’s celebration to highlight the importance of multilingualism.
The Global Impact of English Language Day
English Language Day reflects how vital the language has become in modern global communication.
- English is the most widely spoken language in the world, with roughly 1.53 billion total speakers, including both native and second-language speakers.
- While about 390 million English speakers are native, the remaining 1.1 billion people learned English as a second or additional language.
- English is spoken across 188 countries, making it one of the most geographically widespread languages on the planet.
- The language remains crucial for international diplomacy, business, and education, which is exactly why the UN treats it as one of its two working languages.
- English is the primary bridge between those who do not speak the same language.
This has also led to a sharp increase in demand for accurate English translation services.
Did you know that there are some vital differences in English spoken in different regions? For example, the English spoken in the U.S. and India has some glaring differences. Check out our blog to learn more about these differences: Understanding the Differences in the English Language between India and the U.S.
The Global Business Necessity of English
- Most global contracts are drafted in the English language. Even when neither side speaks it as their first language, it is usually the language both sides agree on.
- The global finance market uses English. Crucial documents like investment reports, bank documents, and market updates are most often created in English.
- Many international businesses expect English fluency.
- It is the first language most online stores are launched in. Translations to other languages usually come after the store is launched.
- The tech world still heavily relies on the English language. Code, documentation, and even pitches to investors are usually written in English.
Hence, many companies work with professional English translation services.
Importance of Professional English Translations
The rise of English translations is directly influenced by the increasing number of people and businesses communicating across borders.
- Businesses expanding internationally need several types of content translated into English to reach global partners, clients, and investors.
- Non-English speakers working in English-dominant regions often need to translate their documents for seamless operations.
- Legal and government bodies frequently require certified English language translations for contracts, app localization, and official paperwork.
- Global organizations, much like the UN itself, depend on reliable English translation to keep communication clear across diverse teams and audiences.
The importance of English in global communication makes it necessary for individuals and businesses to work with a professional English translation company.
How Does Professional Language Solutions Support the Growing Demand for English?
While AI and online translation tools seem enticing, they are not a very dependable solution for English translations.
A reliable language service provider (LSP) provides several unique features to ensure accuracy, compliance, and clarity:
- Native-level fluency in both the source and target languages.
- Deep subject-matter expertise, especially for legal, medical, or business content.
- Consistent and multi-level quality checks to rectify errors before they become serious.
- Cultural awareness to ensure content’s relatability to the target audience.
- Appropriate localization of regional slang.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is English Language Day?
Ans. It is one of the six official language days conducted by the UN to celebrate English’s history, culture, and global impact.
Why is English Language Day celebrated on April 23?
Ans. It is specifically celebrated on April 23 because the day marks both the birth and death anniversaries of William Shakespeare.
When was English Language Day first celebrated?
Ans. In 2010, the UN celebrated English Language Day for the very first time.
How does the UN celebrate English Language Day?
Ans. The UN conducts several activities such as book readings, poetry discussions, quizzes, and performances like “Shakespeare at the UN.”
What is “Shakespeare at the UN?”
Ans. It is an annual performance celebrating Shakespeare’s work in multiple languages.
How many people speak English globally?
Ans. English is the most widely spoken language, with around 1.53 billion people speaking it as a native or as a second language.
What are the UN’s working languages?
Ans. English and French are the UN’s official working languages.
Why is the demand for English translations growing?
Ans. English plays a central role in global business, diplomacy, and education, making professional translations necessary for effective communication.
How do businesses choose a reliable English translation company?
Ans. A business must assess several factors before choosing a translation company. This includes native linguists, subject-matter expertise, in-depth quality check procedures, cultural awareness, and cost transparency.
Why should I choose a professional translation company over automated tools?
Ans. A professional translation company like Somya Translators provides high accuracy, content quality, legal compliance, and confidentiality. These features cannot be provided by automated tools.
Get Reliable English Translation Support
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