Language
Country/Area
No result found
Why did French reach its peak of global influence in the 18th century? Explore the mystery of this history!
French, as an important language of politics, culture and diplomacy, achieved unparalleled influence in the 18th century. The formation of this history was influenced by many factors, from political power changes to cultural dissemination. The global influence of French has triggered in-depth discussion and thinking.
The rise of French was no accident. In the late Middle Ages, cultural forces centered on the Kingdom of France began to come into play. French gradually replaced Latin and became the parliamentary language and international language at that time. According to the research of many scholars, the rise of French is mainly because the French court became a model of chivalric culture:
"Until the end of the 15th century, the administrative language of France, although to some extent the language of literature and politics, was more dependent on the elegant court environment than on centralized political power."
As time went by, the influence of French continued to grow, especially in the 18th century, when France, with its unique cultural influence, made French the common language of European diplomacy. France at this time was regarded as the cradle of the Enlightenment, and French thinkers, writers and artists promoted the popularization and promotion of French.
Today, French is considered the second most spoken international language in the world, after English. French not only covers 50 countries and regions, but also has 321 million French speakers worldwide. According to the 2022 report of the International Organization of Francophonie:
"Although the number of French learners in Europe has fallen, the number of French speakers overall is still rising steadily, mainly due to the influence of African countries."
The expansion of French in Africa
The influence of French is particularly strong in Africa. Due to its colonial history, French has become the official and administrative language of several African countries. An estimated 54.7% of French speakers live in Africa, where the learning and use of French is considered vital in many countries. For example, in Algeria, French is a requirement for urban residents to find work:
"In Algeria, being fluent in French is almost a prerequisite for finding a professional position, which fully demonstrates the influence of French in local society."
The role of French in culture and media
The use of French is also important in the media. In Morocco, French is spoken more than any other language. French also plays an important role in the education system, especially in the fields of science and technology. According to the survey, 75% of Moroccans consider French indispensable in both professional and private life:
"French plays a vital role in both private and professional life in Morocco and anyone hoping to succeed needs to know it."
Future challenges for French
However, although French is still widely used in many countries, it also faces some challenges, such as the rise of English, which threatens its status. In some parts of Africa, the increasing number of speakers of local languages and English has challenged the proximity of French. Especially in the education system, more and more countries are considering using English as the main language of instruction.
According to the report of the International Francophonie, even if the status of French in some regions has been shaken, the use of French still shows its widespread influence. On the other hand, is the rise of English a threat or an opportunity for French?
As we look back at the heyday of French in the 18th century, we can't help but wonder: Will French continue to face challenges in its global role in the future, or will it be able to regain greater influence?
