Is French useful in Africa?
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Is French useful in Africa?
The daily use of French has increased by 17\% on the African continent from the survey period 2010 to 2014, compared to an 11\% growth in the rest of the world. French remains the sole official language in 11 African countries, and the second official language in 10.
What is the most common language spoken in Africa?
While Arabic is the most spoken language in Africa, there’s plenty more – other popular languages include Amharic, Berber, Portuguese, Oromo, Igbo, Yoruba, Zulu and Shona.
Where is French spoken in Africa?
French is an official language, or shares official status with other languages in Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Rwanda, Congo, Mali, the Seychelles, Djibouti, and Senegal.
Why do they speak French in Congo?
The French Language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has many similarities with Belgian French. This is because the French Language was introduced to the country in its colonial period when it was under Belgian rule.
How widely spoken is French?
Over 275 million people around the world speak French. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 1-in-5 people, or 47 million U.S. residents age 5 and older, spoke a language other than English at home at the turn of the 21st century.
What is the advantage of learning French in Africa?
With French becoming an increasingly important world language, Africa is a great option to explore when considering to move abroad and learn French. You’ll get the double benefit of experiencing two cultures at once (a mix of French and local culture) and can pick from tons of places to be stationed.
How much of Africa speaks French?
Africa makes up more than 70\% of the world’s total French speaking population. In 2015, a total of 31 independent states around the world reported French as an official language. If territories are included, the total number increases to 42….French Speaking Countries in Africa.
| Rank | Country | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Seychelles | 92,900 |
What are 3 languages spoken in Africa?
The most widely spoken languages of Africa, Swahili (100 million), Yoruba (20 million), Igbo (21 million), and Fula (13 million) all belong to the Niger-Congo family. Learn more about the Niger-Congo language family on Ethnologue.
How different is African French?
All the African French varieties differ from standard French, both in terms of pronunciation and vocabulary, but the formal African French used in education, media and legal documents is based on standard French vocabulary.
Why do Walloons speak French?
Because of long Spanish and minor French rule, French became the sole official language. After a brief period with Dutch as the official language while the region was part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, the people reinstated French after achieving independence in 1830.
Is the French language spoken in Africa?
The French language has never been limited to France and Paris – or even Europe, where it is actually forecast to become the most widely spoken mother tongue by 2025. With Africa’s history of colonization, it is a language used in 25 African countries and spoken to some extent by as many as 120 million Africans.
What is the most widely spoken language in Africa?
English is the most widely spoken language across the African continent, followed by French, Portuguese, and even Spanish. English is not only the official language of many countries in Africa; it’s also the principal language of education in many others, and a lingua franca otherwise.
What is the movement in Africa for the French language?
The movement in Africa is towards a blend of French-language phrases that are unheard of in France, and the rise of words drawn from local languages.
Why is the practice of French on the African continent increasing?
“The practice of French is increasing on the African continent. It’s a reality driven by demographics, and in West Africa, by countries surrounded by French-speaking neighbours who want to learn the language,” said Céline Desbos, the director of French courses at the Institut Français cultural centre in Dakar.