What are the three leading languages of western hemisphere?

It's tricky to definitively say "leading" as it depends on how you measure it. Here are three ways to look at it, with potential candidates for the "leading" languages:

1. By Number of Speakers:

* Spanish: With over 500 million speakers in the Americas, Spanish is the clear winner.

* English: Closely following, English has over 350 million speakers in the Western Hemisphere.

* Portuguese: With over 250 million speakers, primarily in Brazil, Portuguese is a strong contender.

2. By Countries:

* English: Spoken in the majority of North American countries, English is the dominant language for political and economic influence.

* Spanish: Widely spoken in Central and South America, it has a large geographic footprint.

* French: Official language of Canada, Haiti, and several smaller islands, French has a significant presence.

3. By Cultural Influence:

* English: Dominates media, entertainment, and technology, making it influential across the hemisphere.

* Spanish: Has a strong cultural influence in music, literature, and cuisine throughout Latin America.

* French: Has a legacy in art, literature, and cuisine, particularly in Canada and the Caribbean.

Conclusion:

While Spanish has the largest number of speakers in the Western Hemisphere, English is the dominant language by political and economic influence, and both have a significant cultural impact. Portuguese and French also play important roles.