From the 17th century on, French enjoyed the status of being the language of culture and diplomacy throughout the western world. French is spoken in 53 countries , making it one of the most wide-spread languages of the world. It is estimated that the number of first- and second-language speakers of French worldwide is between and million people. It is an official, co-official or de facto national of 29 countries.
Countries using French as either a first or a second language are located on four continents. Two are in the Americas: Canada and Haiti. There are also two overseas departments of France: Martinique and Guadeloupe. French is a major second language in Arabic-speaking Algeria, Tunis, and Morocco. The dispersion of French is due to the political, economic, scientific, and cultural influence of France.
Countries in which French is spoken are listed below. Please note that some of the numbers are estimates and do not clearly show the breakdown between first- and second-language speakers. In addition, there are a number of French-based Creoles spoken today mainly in the Caribbean, in the U. They are listed below. Please note that these numbers may be actually higher.
European French is usually divided into two major dialects which, in turn, subsume many regional varieties. All Canadian French varieties differ from Standard French in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Canadian French is usually divided into three varieties:. Africa has the largest population of French speakers in the world.
African French varieties are spoken in 31 African countries with the number of first- and second-language speakers exceeding million. All African French varieties differ from Standard French in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. They are usually divided into several groups. Although there are many varieties of spoken French, learners of French as a foreign language are usually taught a variety spoken by educated Parisians.
Some of the main features of this variety are presented below. French has a rich vowel system. The grammar of French is historically based on the grammar of Latin. As a result, it shares many features with other Romance languages. The Standard French counting system is partially vigesimal , i. The basic word order in French is Subject-Verb-Object, but a large number of other orders is possible to indicate topic and emphasis.
Word order is further complicated by an interaction among compound verb constructions, object and adverbial pronouns, inversion, imperatives, adverbs, and negative structures. Most adjectives follow the noun, e. French vocabulary is mostly Latin-based, e. As a result, it shares much of its basic vocabulary with other Romance languages.
The Latin alphabet was a natural choice for the scribes who started writing French texts starting in the 11th century, even though it was less than an ideal fit for a language whose sound system differed substantially from that of Latin. A significant number of changes in the sound system of French during the 14thth centuries caused a further divergence between spoken French and its written representation.
Despite some attempts to reform French spelling, no major changes have been made over the last two centuries. The orthography of modern French has not changed since French words in English English has borrowed many words from French.
They are too numerous to list. Below is a short sampling of French loan words related to cooking, and those that occur in common usage. Toggle navigation. Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in France. Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in Luxembourg. Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in Morocco. Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in Senegal.
Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in Canada. Watch » Short videos of French varieties as spoken in Martinique. Labio- dental. Post- alveola r. Listen » Pronunciation of some common phrases in Standard French. Even though it is an ocean away from France, Haitian French is surprisingly quite similar to standard French, with the main difference lying in the intonation.
A subtle creole-based tone is characteristic of Haitian French, giving speakers a bit more flair than those studying in France. Haiti is unfortunately known for its economic problems, but this island nation has persevered through devastating natural disasters and is becoming a very popular travel destination.
While its beaches and natural beauty rival any of its neighbors, what makes Haiti truly special is its unique history as a slave trade capital and dedication to its African roots. Haiti is also located in between the Dominican Republic and Cuba, so between the strong ties to Africa and its Hispanic surroundings, language learners who choose this region are sure to have a very multicultural experience.
In addition to the language and cultural benefits of studying here, this region is also perfect for anyone with a heart for relief work , development economics, or working with people who are less fortunate. What better way to truly learn a language than by surrounding yourself with locals that need help? Because Haiti is a largely rural country, the majority of students head to Port-au-Prince, home to about a million people and seven universities. Its energy and chaos is totally unique to the area, and students will enjoy diving full speed into this headstrong community.
A country of many cultural influences, Switzerland is one of the more popular alternatives to France for students. There are very few differences between standard French and Swiss French, so Switzerland has become an ideal location for hopeful French speakers who want to study standard French, but desire a location that is a bit more unique. French is one of four official languages in Switzerland, with about 1. Geographically, about one-fourth of Switzerland falls under French-speaking territory.
However, as the second largest city in Switzerland, Geneva is the most popular area. With a population of about , people, Geneva is a nice-sized city for immersion in the local Swiss culture while still having the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Very different from its international counterpart, Fribourg has become a desirable alternative to the hustle and bustle of Geneva. Located on the La Sarine River and the cultural divide between French and German Switzerland, Fribourg is home to about 40, people and one of the top universities in the country.
This region also happens to be surrounded by lush natural beauty and its Old City is one of the best preserved in Switzerland, so it attracts both history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Known as being one of the most politically stable and safe countries in Africa, Senegal is a top choice for French language learners who want the excitement of Africa without the risk of some of its neighbors.
Students here can perfect their conjugations while soaking up the sun surrounded by pink flamingos OR practice their tenses while doing a safari on the Fathala Reserve. Not everyone you meet in Senegal will understand French, so it might be a good idea to brush up on a few basic greetings and phrases in Wolof before you go. Seychelles This idyllic island country has plenty in the way of beaches and natural parks.
But despite the fact that it has the smallest population of any African state, its culture is also incredibly compelling. The Republic of Seychelles has no indigenous population, but rather, a multi-ethnic melting pot made up of people from virtually every corner of the globe.
English, French, and Seychellois Creole a French-based creole are the most widely spoken languages. Switzerland About one in five Swiss nationals speak French as a native language and an even greater number have a working knowledge of it , but the biggest reason to travel to Switzerland as a French student is to experience the differences between Swiss French and Standard French. Though Bislama, an English-based creole, is the primary language spoken by locals, the French influence can be felt especially in Port Vila.
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