Why are most major programming languages only in English?

Programming languages provide people with the tools to address a variety of problems. Python, for example, is great for back end development and artificial intelligence. Javascript enables web developers to create dynamic and responsive web sites. R is used for statistical analysis. In spite of the great diversity in their purposes, syntax and supporting communities, these popular languages all share a common characteristic, their keywords are in American English.

This fact is a result of historical and social processes that should not be left unquestioned. English is not, after all, the most spoken natural language in the world, nor has it always been a global language. English speakers are not more creative or better at programming than their Chinese or German counterparts. However, the fact remains. So, why do nearly all major programming languages use English keywords?

An extremely brief inspection seems to point to English’s presence as a lingua franca, the United States’s significant role in the history of computer design, and the centralization of power into big tech and the United States.

“lingua franca: any of various languages used as common or commercial tongues among peoples of diverse speech” — Merriam-Webster

English’s rise as the lingua franca in the mid-20th century is perhaps the most apparent reason for its presence in the most popular programming languages. Spoken in over 100 countries, it is one of the 5 official languages of the United Nations and is the de-facto language of business and politics. Before English, French was the global language of diplomacy from the 17th to the mid-20th century. Interestingly, French is still the official language of major sporting institutions, namely FIFA and the International Olympics Committee.

American economic and cultural influence has been key to the establishment of English as the lingua franca. Culturally, this is evident in the worldwide popularity of Hollywood films and American pop music. Of the top 20 grossing movies worldwide, 20 are American-made. Though some argue that its influence is declining, the economic power of the United States is also difficult to dispute. Though less than 5% of…

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