German is the most common first language among the European Union. It is among the standard languages of the arts, sciences and humanities. While German technicians are also usually fluent English speakers, there are usually German versions of most technical documents and scientific papers. This language is also immensely useful for those in the arts and entertainment world, as there is a huge market for both in Germany and the nation itself has numerous entertainers who have achieved world-wide acclaim. German is among the most popular second languages in the world, particularly among English speakers.
The German language is not only a language unto itself, but also the source of numerous other languages. Dutch and English both have their roots in German. In fact, during times of conflicts, American and German soldiers oftentimes found that they could understand each other if they heard the other speaking for long enough. The words might not be exact or even particularly clear, in some cases, but they were intelligible, nonetheless, and the similarity of languages makes the nations that speak them natural trading partners. This language is among the most commonly-taught in universities around the world.
There is a huge market associated with the German language. It's important to remember that this language crosses many borders. Austria is a largely German-speaking language, as are Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. Of course, Switzerland is the most famous nation in the world for banking, and a large percentage of that nation are native German speakers. This language is spoken around the world, but it is most important in the vibrant European Union markets. It's difficult to find an established business in these nations where at least one employee doesn't speak German as at least a second language. There are also German speakers to be found in Eastern Europe.
German will also be recognized for international contracts and treaties, making it an important official language. It is usually among the most popular with business people who work international markets. Along with Spanish, it provides access to huge markets. It is also spoken by many immigrant populations worldwide. In the early 20th Century, the US even had a large number of German newspapers. Today, some of the most innovative websites in the world are in German, and most businesses have a German version of their pages available. The cosmopolitan nature of the language makes it one of the most useful in the world.