We last caught up with Language Lizard’s mascot Lex, as he was traveling to Milan, Italy, to enjoy the Winter Olympics. Lex’s next stop on his world tour is Boston, Massachusetts, as the city gets ready to host America’s 250th Anniversary and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, the capital and largest city of Massachusetts, sits on Massachusetts Bay, along the Atlantic coast in New England. Incorporated as a city in 1822, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and has played a pivotal role in the nation’s early history.
Massachusetts was among the original 13 colonies and became the sixth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Boston is often referred to as the cradle of the American Revolution with key events occurring in the city such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, which alerted colonial militias to British troop movements that led to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, known as the United States Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone will include celebrations across the country. As part of this celebration, Boston will welcome a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships and military ships.
What Language Do They Speak?
English is the most widely spoken language in the United States. Around 1.5 billion people worldwide speak English, making it the most spoken language globally when including both native and non-native speakers.
The English language, part of the Indo-European family, traces its origins to West Germanic dialects spoken by Anglo-Saxon settlers who migrated to Britain from what is now Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands during the 5th to 7th centuries AD. Their speech evolved into Old English, which, many centuries later, developed into what we call Modern English today.
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet, with ‘E’ being the most frequently used. The sentence structure generally follows a subject-verb-object order.
While there isn’t a single dominant American accent, regional accents are quite common. In addition, there are clear differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, spelling, and accent among English spoken in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Although English is the most widely spoken language in the US, a diverse immigrant community speaks over 300 languages. Boston and Massachusetts, in particular, have large populations of Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Vietnamese speakers.
Fun Facts
Here are some fascinating facts about Boston:
- Boston is home to America’s oldest public park (Boston Common, 1634), the first public school (1635), and the first subway system (1897).
- Boston is also home to The Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route through the city that passes 16 significant historical sites related to the American Revolution.
- The city is affectionately called Beantown, a charming nod to its beloved treat, baked beans in molasses.
- The city is named after the English town of Boston, UK.
- On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call from his laboratory in Boston to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson.
- Boston Cream Pie, invented at the Parker House Hotel in Boston, is the official dessert of the state.
- Boston is a very diverse city and home to a thriving Chinatown, the popular North End (Little Italy), and the Armenian Heritage Park.
Boston and the FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three countries have hosted the event. The matches will take place in multiple cities across the host countries, with the United States hosting the majority of matches in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. This event will mark the first time that the World Cup returns to North America since 1994.
Increasing participation from 32 teams to 48, this year’s event aims to increase global representation and allow more countries to compete.
Seven matches will take place at Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Patriots, just outside Boston in Foxborough.
English Books & More
While all of our bilingual books offer English and your language of choice, Language Lizard also offers a wide selection of English-only books, including fiction and non-fiction titles, perfect for all ages.
We have a selection of English-only books that are great for children adjusting to living in a new country. These include Feathers and Friends, in which Sami and Rosa become friends through a shared love of birds and writing. Leo’s Dogs is a book about Leo, who learns to adapt to his new home with the help of the dogs he cares for at the animal shelter. The Best of All Worlds follows Katie’s journey as she embraces her different cultures.
Stay tuned for Lex’s next adventure!