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How did the tenderness of the French royal family promote the expansion of the French language? Do you know?
In medieval Europe, French gradually became the international language second only to Latin, especially after 1415. The cause of this phenomenon did not simply stem from the power of the French Kingdom, but from the knightly culture displayed in the French court, which made French the language of politics and literature. The French royal family inadvertently promoted French through the image of the "gentle court prince", making it a symbol of social culture.
"By the end of the fifteenth century, French had become a political and literary language, as the French court became a model of chivalric culture."
This situation continued until the 18th century, when French developed into the official language of European diplomacy and international relations. To this day, the French-speaking world mentioned by the "Organization Internationale Française (OIF)" refers to the people and institutions that use French around the world. French is the second most popular international language after English, covering about 50 countries and regions, and is the daily communication language of about 321 million people. According to the OIF 2022 report, the popularity of French is particularly significant in Africa, with more than half of French speakers living in Africa.
“Of the 212 million daily French speakers, 54.7% live in Africa.”
However, people from all walks of life have also raised doubts about the OIF statistics, believing that the calculation method used may underestimate the number of French speakers. France's Economic, Social and Environmental Council even estimates that if a broader definition is adopted, the number of French speakers will exceed 500 million by 2020.
The footprint of French in Africa
In Algeria, North Africa, about 69.1% of the population can read and write French, but the identity of French is still controversial. In urban areas, speaking French fluently is almost a requirement for professional work. The reason why the history of French in Algeria is so important is that the popularity of French since 1962 is also closely related to the country's education policy.
"The French language is regarded as a trophy of Algeria. This is the continuation of a culture whose colonial legacy cannot be ignored."
In Egypt, the influence of French was once very widespread. At the end of the nineteenth century, French became the country's main foreign language and played an important role in communicating with foreigners. Although English gradually replaced French over time, French is still spoken by millions of Egyptians today.
From colonial influence to contemporary language identity
As in most former colonial countries, French serves as the official language in many West African countries. Not only in all aspects of social life, the use of French has become part of culture and identity. The French language in Côte d'Ivoire is seen as part of the local culture, and positive and fair social interactions promote the French language's status.
"The development of French in Africa demonstrates that it is not only a colonial legacy, but also an important language in the construction of new societies."
From Morocco to Tunisia, French undoubtedly plays an irreplaceable role throughout North Africa. The diversity of the French language and its application in daily life bear witness to the changes in history and current society. Especially today with the booming development of social media, French speakers are not limited to government and business fields, but also extend to a wider range of social life.
Conclusion
The tenderness and cultural accomplishment of the French royal family not only created a prosperous language environment, but also inspired people's love and understanding of French. This cultural influence ensures that French still plays an important role in today's society. In the future, how will French continue to develop on a global scale, and what lessons will it bring us?
