French

A language of France

ISO 639-3

Autonym

français

Population

63,210,000 in France, all users. L1 users: 60,200,000 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 3,010,000 (2016). Total users in all countries: 284,952,860 (as L1: 76,795,640; as L2: 208,157,220).

Language Maps

Andorra and France

Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands

Liechtenstein and Switzerland

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, Constitution, 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 Romansh [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

20,110,800 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 10,800 (2004 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 20,100,000 (2016).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Language Use

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

Language Development

33% can read and write French (OIF 2007).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Algeria

Andorra

Language nameFrench

Population

53,300 in Andorra, all users. L1 users: 4,200 (2005 census). L2 users: 49,100 (2016). Ethnic population: 5,200 (2008 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Francès, Français

Status

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

View other languages of Andorra

Belgium

Language nameFrench

Population

9,300,000 in Belgium, all users. L1 users: 4,260,000 (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 5,040,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Hainaut, Liège, Namur, and Walloon Brabant provinces; Luxembourg province: Lorraine; southern hills, and one area in Brussels.

Alternate Names

Frans, Französisch, 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.

View other languages of Belgium

Benin

Language nameFrench

Population

3,836,700 in Benin, all users. L1 users: 16,700 (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 3,820,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

4,210,000 in Burkina Faso, all users. L1 users: 170,000 (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 4,040,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

921,500 in Burundi, all users. L1 users: 1,500 (2013 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 920,000 (2016).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Français

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

420,870 in Cambodia, all users. L1 users: 870 (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 420,000 (2015).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Barang, Français

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. French is more common among those who were educated before 1975.

View other languages of Cambodia

Cameroon

Language nameFrench

Population

9,550,000 in Cameroon (2015), L2 users.

Location

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

Alternate Names

français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Cameroon

Canada

Language nameFrench

Population

10,070,000 in Canada, all users. L1 users: 7,170,000 (2016 census). 300,000 speak Acadien, 500,000 speak Franco-Ontarien, over 51,000 speak Franco-Manitoban. L2 users: 2,900,000 (2014).

Location

Widespread: Québécois in Quebec; Franco-Ontarien in Ontario; Acadian 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, Franco-Manitoban.

Status

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

Language Use

All domains. Also use English [eng], in public contexts such as commerce, technology, government, or public discourse such as sports or rock-and-roll music.

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

1,479,000 in Central African Republic, all users. L1 users: 9,000 (1996). L2 users: 1,470,000 (2016).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Français

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

1,763,000 in Chad, all users. L1 users: 3,000 (1993). L2 users: 1,760,000 (2015).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Chad

Comoros

Language nameFrench

Population

207,600 in Comoros, all users. L1 users: 1,600 (2015 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 206,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

2,759,200 in Congo, all users. L1 users: 9,200 (2014 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 2,750,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

8,145,000 in Côte d’Ivoire, all users. L1 users: 45,000 (2017). L2 users: 8,100,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

31,900,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (OIF 2007), L2 users.

Alternate Names

Français

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

451,900 in Djibouti, all users. L1 users: 18,900 (2016). L2 users: 433,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Language nameFrench

Population

134,000 in Equatorial Guinea (2016), L2 users.

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Francés, Français

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

231,000 in French Guiana, all users. L1 users: 88,000 (2010). L2 users: 143,000 (2010).

Alternate Names

Français

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

278,000 in French Polynesia, all users. L1 users: 178,000 (2007 census). L2 users: 100,000 (2015). 35,000 monolinguals.

Alternate Names

Français

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

1,077,500 in Gabon, all users. L1 users: 37,500 (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 1,040,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

394,300 in Guadeloupe, all users. L1 users: 7,300 (2004). L2 users: 387,000 (2015).

Alternate Names

Français

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.

View other languages of Guadeloupe

Guernsey

Language nameFrench

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Guernsey

Guinea

Language nameFrench

Population

2,540,000 in Guinea (2016), L2 users.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Guinea

Haiti

Language nameFrench

Population

4,380,600 in Haiti, all users. L1 users: 600 (2004). L2 users: 4,380,000 (2013).

Alternate Names

Français

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 (2008).

Location

Puducherry Union Territory.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Italy

Language nameFrench

Population

9,830,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 100,000 (Harris 1987). L2 users: 9,730,000 (European Commission 2012).

Location

Valle d’Aosta region.

Alternate Names

Francese, 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.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Jersey

Lebanon

Language nameFrench

Population

2,227,900 in Lebanon, all users. L1 users: 17,900 (2013). L2 users: 2,210,000 (2015).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Français

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

523,600 in Luxembourg, all users. L1 users: 57,600 (2011 census). L2 users: 466,000 (European Commission 2012).

Alternate Names

Französisch, Français

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

4,840,000 in Madagascar, all users. L1 users: 120,000 (2005). L2 users: 4,720,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Frantsay, Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Madagascar

Mali

Language nameFrench

Population

2,955,000 in Mali, all users. L1 users: 15,000 (2013 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 2,940,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

321,000 in Martinique, all users. L1 users: 9,000 (2004). L2 users: 312,000 (2012).

Alternate Names

Français

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.

View other languages of Martinique

Mauritania

Language nameFrench

Population

755,900 in Mauritania, all users. L1 users: 5,900 (2014 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 750,000 (2016).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Français

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

918,200 in Mauritius, all users. L1 users: 51,200 (2012 UNSD). L2 users: 867,000 (2016).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

français

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

133,700 in Mayotte, all users. L1 users: 6,700 (2009 UNSD). L2 users: 127,000 (2012).

Alternate Names

Français

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

24,000 in Monaco, all users. L1 users: 10,800 (2014). L2 users: 13,200 (2014).

Alternate Names

français

Status

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

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Morocco

Language nameFrench

Population

10,880,000 in Morocco, all users. L1 users: 80,000. L2 users: 10,800,000 (2015).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Français

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.

View other languages of Morocco

New Caledonia

Language nameFrench

Population

266,300 in New Caledonia, all users. L1 users: 68,300 (2009 census). L2 users: 198,000 (2014).

Location

South province: Nouméa.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of New Caledonia

Niger

Language nameFrench

Population

2,506,000 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 6,000 (Johnstone 1993). L2 users: 2,500,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Niger

Réunion

Language nameFrench

Population

763,000 in Réunion, all users. L1 users: 171,000 (2009). L2 users: 592,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Réunion

Rwanda

Language nameFrench

Population

668,030 in Rwanda, all users. L1 users: 3,030 (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 665,000 (2015).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Rwanda

Saint Barthélemy

Language nameFrench

Population

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

Alternate Names

Français

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 (2011 SIL).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Language Use

More formal functions of government and education.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Saint Martin

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Language nameFrench

Population

6,000 (2015). 100% of the population (Harton et al 2014). Ethnic population: 5,240.

Alternate Names

Français

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

4,297,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 47,000 (2015 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 4,250,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Senegal

Seychelles

Language nameFrench

Population

49,930 in Seychelles, all users. L1 users: 630 (2014 World Factbook). L2 users: 49,300 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

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

View other languages of Seychelles

Switzerland

Language nameFrench

Population

5,440,000 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 1,820,000 (2012 census). L2 users: 3,620,000 (2015).

Location

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

Alternate Names

Francese, Französisch, 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

3,013,000 in Togo, all users. L1 users: 3,000 (1993). L2 users: 3,010,000 (2016).

Alternate Names

Français

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

6,031,200 in Tunisia, all users. L1 users: 1,200 (2015 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 6,030,000 (2016).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Français

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Tunisia

United States

Language nameFrench

Population

1,250,000 (2015 census).

Location

Maine; New Hampshire; Vermont.

Alternate Names

Français

Dialects

Québécois, Acadian (Acadien).

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Considered threatened. Christian.

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Vanuatu

Language nameFrench

Population

83,500 in Vanuatu, all users. L1 users: 6,300 (1995). L2 users: 77,200 (2015).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1980, Constitution, Article 3(1)).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Vanuatu

Wallis and Futuna

Language nameFrench

Population

10,750 in Wallis and Futuna, all users. L1 users: 1,400 (2015 World Factbook). L2 users: 9,350 (2015).

Alternate Names

Français

Status

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

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Wallis and Futuna

Ethnologue

French

Primary tabs

A language of France

Also spoken in:

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