French

A language of France

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Français

Population

60,000,000 in France (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 2,900,000 in France (2010). Total users in all countries: 229,217,640 (as L1: 75,917,870; as L2: 153,299,770).

Language Maps

Andorra and France

Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands

Liechtenstein and Switzerland

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, Consitution, Article 2.1).

Classification

Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French

Dialects

Standard French, Norman (Normand), Angevin, Berrichon, Bourbonnais, Bourguignon, Franc-Comtois, Gallo, Poitevin, Lorraine, Saintongeais. Lexical similarity: 89% with Italian [ita], 80% with Logudorese Sardinian [src], 78% with Romansch [roh], 75% with Portuguese [por], Romanian [ron], and Spanish[spa], 29% with German [deu], 27% with English [eng].

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head final for common adjectives, numbers, possessives, but most attributive adjectives come after the noun; gender (masculine/feminine); definite and indefinite articles; verb affixes mark person, number; passives; tense; comparatives; 20 consonant and 14 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; syllable-timed stress.

Language Use

Some also use English [eng] (European Commission 2006), Spanish [spa] (European Commission 2006). A few also use Standard German [deu] (European Commission 2006).

Language Development

Fully developed. Bible: 1530–2000.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about French

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Algeria

Language nameFrench

Population

10,200 in Algeria (2004 J. Leclerc).

Location

Mostly in cities.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language, in higher education.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Kabyle [kab], Tumzabt [mzb].

Language Development

20% can read and write French.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Algeria

Andorra

Language nameFrench

Population

4,200 in Andorra (2005 census). L2 users: 53,500 in Andorra (2014). Ethnic population: 5,200 (2008 census).

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

View other languages of Andorra

Belgium

Language nameFrench

Population

3,900,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 4,630,000 in Belgium (European Commission 2012).

Location

Hainaut, Liège, Namur, and Walloon Brabant provinces; Luxembourg province: Lorraine; southern hills, and bilingual part of Brussels.

Alternate Names

Français

Dialects

Lorraine.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1994, Constitution, Articles 2,4,30).

Other Comments

The following municipalities have minority rights for Dutch-speaking persons: Comines-Warneton, Mouscron, Enghien, Floubecques; and for German-speaking persons: Malmèdy, Weismes, Welkenraedt.

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Benin

Language nameFrench

Population

16,700 in Benin (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 3,280,000 in Benin (2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Constitution, Article 1).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Benin

Burkina Faso

Language nameFrench

Population

170,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 3,570,000 in Burkina Faso (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 35).

Language Development

Official language of education.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Burkina Faso

Burundi

Language nameFrench

Population

2,200 in Burundi (2004). L2 users: 841,000 in Burundi (2013).

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Burundi

Cambodia

Language nameFrench

Population

870 in Cambodia (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 403,000 in Cambodia (2013).

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cambodia

Cameroon

Language nameFrench

Population

L2 users: 8,440,000 in Cameroon (2013).

Location

Mainly Littoral, West, Centre, South, East, Adamawa, North, and Far North regions.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 1(3)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cameroon

Canada

Language nameFrench

Population

7,300,000 in Canada (2011 census). 300,000 speak Acadien, 500,000 speak Franco-Ontarien. L2 users: 2,700,000 in Canada (2011).

Location

Québécois in Quebec; Franco-Ontarien in Ontario; Acadian in Caraquet; Shippagan on the east coast of New Brunswick, pockets in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; Franco-terreneuvien in Newfoundland. Some Québécois in Manitoba.

Alternate Names

Français

Dialects

Acadian (Acadien), Franco-Ontarien, Québécois, Shippagan, Franco-Terreneuvien.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1988, Official Languages Act, Ch. 38, Articles 1, 34).

Language Use

All domains. Also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Difficult intelligibility Québécois and Acadian speakers, for speakers not fluent in standard French. Québécois used more vigorously than Acadian. Christian.

View other languages of Canada

Central African Republic

Language nameFrench

Population

9,000 in Central African Republic (1996). L2 users: 1,360,000 in Central African Republic (2013).

Location

Widespread.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Constitution, Article 18).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Central African Republic

Chad

Language nameFrench

Population

3,000 in Chad (1993). L2 users: 1,620,000 in Chad (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 9).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Chad

Comoros

Language nameFrench

Population

1,700 in Comoros (1993). L2 users: 187,000 in Comoros (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Language of all formal education except Koranic.

View other languages of Comoros

Congo

Language nameFrench

Population

28,000 in Congo (1993). L2 users: 2,560,000 in Congo (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2002, Constitution, Article 6).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Sole language of formal education.

View other languages of Congo

Côte d’Ivoire

Language nameFrench

Population

17,500 in Côte d’Ivoire (1988 census). L2 users: 6,890,000 in Côte d’Ivoire (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2000, Constitution, Article 29).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Côte d’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Language nameFrench

Population

L2 users: 6,080,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (OIF 2007).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2006, Constitution, Article 1).

Language Development

Taught in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Language nameFrench

Population

17,000 in Djibouti (2005 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 419,000 in Djibouti (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 1).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Language nameFrench

Population

L2 users: 117,000 in Equatorial Guinea (2013).

Location

Mostly cities.

Alternate Names

Français, Francés

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1998, Constitution, Article 4(1) as amended).

Language Use

Used by immigrants and officially. Commerce, government.

Language Development

Taught in primary schools, as a subject. Taught in secondary schools, as a subject.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Equatorial Guinea

French Guiana

Language nameFrench

Population

L2 users: 143,000 in French Guiana (2010).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of French Guiana

French Polynesia

Language nameFrench

Population

178,000 in French Polynesia (2007 census). L2 users: 92,000 in French Polynesia (2013). 35,000 monolinguals.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Organic Law, No. 2004-192, Article 57).

Language Use

Widespread, government, media, public life.

Language Development

Tertiary education is also in French. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of French Polynesia

Gabon

Language nameFrench

Population

37,500 in Gabon (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 984,000 in Gabon (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. The only language of formal education.

View other languages of Gabon

Guadeloupe

Language nameFrench

Population

7,300 in Guadeloupe (2004). L2 users: 332,000 in Guadeloupe (2010).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Local variety is similar to Cajun French [frc] of the United States.

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Guernsey

Language nameFrench

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Guernsey

Guinea

Language nameFrench

Population

L2 users: 2,770,000 in Guinea (2014).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 1).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Guinea

Haiti

Language nameFrench

Population

600 in Haiti (2004). L2 users: 4,370,000 in Haiti (2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1987, Constitution, Article 5(2)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Haiti

India

Language nameFrench

Population

10,000 in India (2008).

Location

Puducherry Union Territory.

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Puducherry Union Territory (1950, Constitution, Articles 345–347 inclusive), unscheduled language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of India

Italy

Language nameFrench

Population

100,000 in Italy (Harris 1987). L2 users: 9,510,000 in Italy (European Commission 2012).

Location

Valle d’Aosta region.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Valle d’Aoste (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Italian [ita].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Italy

Jersey

Language nameFrench

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Jersey

Lebanon

Language nameFrench

Population

17,900 in Lebanon (2013). L2 users: 1,680,000 in Lebanon (2013).

Location

Scattered.

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

About 20% of the population speak French in their daily lives, and up to 65% of the population can read and converse in French. A number of government and private universities teach in French.

Language Development

Language of instruction in many schools. Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Lebanon

Luxembourg

Language nameFrench

Population

82,000 in Luxembourg (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 414,000 in Luxembourg (European Commission 2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1984, Language Law of 24 February, Article 2).

Language Use

Used mainly by intellectuals, professionals, authorities, and for commerce.

Language Development

Taught in school.

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Madagascar

Language nameFrench

Population

18,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 4,570,000 in Madagascar (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 6).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Madagascar

Mali

Language nameFrench

Population

9,000 in Mali (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 2,580,000 in Mali (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 25).

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Official language for instruction in schools.

View other languages of Mali

Martinique

Language nameFrench

Population

9,000 in Martinique (2004). L2 users: 315,000 in Martinique (2010).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. When Creole languages exist alongside their lexifier language, as in Martinique, a continuum forms of variations between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers.

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Mauritania

Language nameFrench

Population

5,500 in Mauritania (2013 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 700,000 in Mauritania (2013).

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Hassaniyya [mey], Pulaar [fuc], Soninke [snk], Wolof [wol].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Mauritania

Mauritius

Language nameFrench

Population

51,200 in Mauritius (2012 UNSD). L2 users: 864,000 in Mauritius (2013).

Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Language Use

Stores. Widely used by young people as L2. Older adults tend to use creole. Used as L2 by Morisyen [mfe].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Mauritius

Mayotte

Language nameFrench

Population

6,700 in Mayotte (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 115,000 in Mayotte (2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2), as special French collectivity.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Mayotte

Monaco

Language nameFrench

Population

16,500 in Monaco (2014 World Factbook). L2 users: 13,200 in Monaco (2011).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1962, Constitution, Article 8).

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Morocco

Language nameFrench

Population

80,000 in Morocco. L2 users: 10,300,000 in Morocco (2013).

Location

Widespread.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

In Fas, many upper class speak French as primary language before Arabic. Used as L2 by Judeo-Moroccan Arabic [aju].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Caledonia

Language nameFrench

Population

68,300 in New Caledonia (2009 census). L2 users: 191,000 in New Caledonia (2013).

Location

Sud province: Nouméa.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Niger

Language nameFrench

Population

6,000 in Niger (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 2,170,000 in Niger (2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 3).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Réunion

Language nameFrench

Population

171,000 in Réunion (2009). L2 users: 547,000 in Réunion (2009).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Rwanda

Language nameFrench

Population

600 in Rwanda (2013 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 636,000 in Rwanda (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2003, Constitution, Article 5).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saint Barthélemy

Language nameFrench

Population

6,750 in Saint Barthélemy (2011 SIL). Most Sous le Vent dialect users shifting to modern standard French.

Dialects

Sous le Vent (Saint Barthélemy Patois).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Sous le Vent on the northwest end of the island is an archaic French similar to 17th century French.

View other languages of Saint Barthélemy

Saint Martin

Language nameFrench

Population

3,000 in Saint Martin (2011 SIL).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Language Use

More formal functions of government and education.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Language nameFrench

Population

6,400 in Saint Pierre and Miquelon (2009). 100% of the population (Harton et al 2014). Ethnic population: 5,240.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2), overseas French territory.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Senegal

Language nameFrench

Population

47,000 in Senegal (2015 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 3,870,000 in Senegal (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Senegal

Seychelles

Language nameFrench

Population

450 in Seychelles (2005 UNSD). L2 users: 46,600 in Seychelles (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2003, Constitution, Article 4(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Spoken by French settler families, grands blancs.

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Switzerland

Language nameFrench

Population

1,820,000 in Switzerland (2012 census). L2 users: 3,450,000 in Switzerland (2013).

Location

Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, and Vaud cantons.

Alternate Names

Français

Dialects

Franc-Comtois (Fribourgois, Jurassien).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and Standard German [deu] on the federal level.

Language Use

33% of the Swiss population speak French daily (1990 census). Used for education in French-speaking areas.

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Togo

Language nameFrench

Population

3,000 in Togo (1993). L2 users: 2,640,000 in Togo (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 3).

Language Use

Religion, government.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Togo

Tunisia

Language nameFrench

Population

11,000 in Tunisia (1993). L2 users: 5,890,000 in Tunisia (2013).

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language nameFrench

Population

1,300,000 in United States (2013 census).

Location

Maine; New Hampshire; Vermont.

Dialects

Québécois, Acadian (Acadien).

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Considered threatened. Christian.

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Vanuatu

Language nameFrench

Population

6,300 in Vanuatu (1995). L2 users: 73,400 in Vanuatu (2013).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1980, Consitution, Art 3(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Vanuatu

Wallis and Futuna

Language nameFrench

Population

120 in Wallis and Futuna (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 12,700 in Wallis and Futuna (2012).

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, French Constitution, Article 2).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Wallis and Futuna

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Ethnologue

French

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A language of France

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