proportion of speakers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proportion of speakers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the relative amount or percentage of individuals who speak a particular language or dialect within a specific population. Example: "The proportion of speakers of Spanish in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past few decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A similar proportion of speakers was white.

The New Yorker

Due to the close relation between the Scandinavian languages, a considerable proportion of speakers of Danish and especially Norwegian are highly fluent in Swedish for a total number of speakers that could be as high as 15 million.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gender determines the proportion of speaker and audience laughter.

The Guardian - Books

The proportion of speaker frames that each component occupies is obviously imbalanced.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The transition probability is described by t_{ij} = frac{1}{N_{ij}} sum_{A} p(i)_{A} p j)_{A}, where (p(i)_{A}), (p j)_{A}) are proportions of speakers of languages i, j in a country A, (N_{ij}) is the number of countries where i, j are co-spoken.

EPJ Data Science

The largest proportion of Euskera speakers live in the province of Guipúzcoa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The proportion of Rhaetian speakers in Graubünden fell from two-fifths in 1880 to one-fourth in 1970, with a corresponding increase in the Italian-speaking population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One man who toured the eastern bloc in the 1970s and 1980s and seemed to know so many people that the Russian guides were invariably suspicious, produces photographs that prove beyond all doubt that a high proportion of Esperanto speakers in that neck of the woods were, and maybe still are, in their 20s, and frequently female.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This represents a two percentage point drop - from 21% to 19% - in the proportion of Welsh speakers.

BBC

A chance conversation got Arturo Casadevall, a microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, thinking about the proportion of female speakers at conferences.

Science Magazine

However, the data suggests Cardiff and Monmouthshire are the only local authority areas to have registered a percentage increase in the proportion of Welsh speakers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing demographic data, clearly define the population group you are using to calculate the "proportion of speakers". This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "proportion of speakers" when absolute numbers are more appropriate. For example, instead of saying 'The proportion of speakers increased', specify the actual increase in speaker numbers if known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proportion of speakers" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and quantifies the relative number of individuals who communicate in a particular language or dialect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proportion of speakers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the relative number of individuals who speak a particular language within a defined group. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It's suitable for formal, neutral, and informal communication, and can be effectively used in news reporting, scientific research, and general discussions about language demographics. Accurate usage involves clear context, consideration of alternative expressions like "percentage of speakers", and differentiation from absolute numbers to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

percentage of speakers

Focuses on the numerical percentage rather than the proportional relationship.

ratio of speakers

Emphasizes the relationship between the number of speakers and the total population.

share of speakers

Highlights the portion or allotment of speakers within a larger group.

number of speakers relative to

More explicitly compares the speaker count to a reference group or population.

speaker representation

Focuses on the degree to which speakers of a certain type are represented.

speaker distribution

Describes how speakers are spread across different categories or regions.

speaker prevalence

Highlights how commonly a certain type of speaker is found.

density of speakers

Relates the number of speakers to a specific area or demographic.

volume of speakers

Describes the number of speakers by focusing on their quantity.

count of speakers

Emphasizes a simple numerical accounting of the speaker population.

FAQs

How can I use "proportion of speakers" in a sentence?

You can use "proportion of speakers" when discussing the relative amount of individuals who speak a specific language or dialect within a particular population. For instance, 'The "proportion of speakers" of Mandarin Chinese is growing globally'.

What is a good substitute for "proportion of speakers"?

Alternatives include "percentage of speakers", "ratio of speakers", or "share of speakers". The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is it more accurate to say "proportion of speakers" or "percentage of speakers"?

Both phrases are accurate and often interchangeable. "Percentage of speakers" typically refers to a numerical representation (e.g., 20%), while "proportion of speakers" highlights the relationship between the number of speakers and the total population.

What factors influence the "proportion of speakers" of a language in a region?

Migration patterns, birth rates, language policies, and educational initiatives are key factors. For example, increased immigration from Spanish-speaking countries can raise the "proportion of speakers" of Spanish in a particular area.