Le français dans le monde - Karambolage - ARTE

Summary

The video script celebrates the International Day of the French Language, held annually on March 20th. It highlights the global significance of the French language, particularly in Africa, where nearly half of French speakers reside. The script delves into the history of the Francophonie, an international community formed in 1970, and discusses the efforts of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to promote French amidst the dominance of English. It also touches on the legacy of King François I, who in 1539 made French the official language in administration, symbolized by the restoration of the Château de Villers-Cotterêts in northern France.

Takeaways

• 😀 The United Nations celebrates the International Day of the French Language on March 20th each year.
• 😀 French is one of the six official languages of the UN, alongside Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian, and Spanish.
• 😀 The International Day of Francophonie, also on March 20th, celebrates the global community of French speakers.
• 😀 The OIF (International Organisation of Francophonie) was founded on March 20, 1970, in Niamey, Niger, by leaders including Leopold Sedar Senghor and Habib Bourguiba.
• 😀 French is spoken by nearly 300 million people worldwide, with 44% of speakers residing in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
• 😀 France only represents 28% of the global French-speaking population, with significant populations in Africa, Canada (Quebec), Belgium, and Switzerland.
• 😀 The city with the largest number of French speakers is Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, not Paris.
• 😀 The OIF currently represents 88 member states and focuses on promoting French language and culture internationally.
• 😀 The creation of the International Institute of the French Language in Villers-Cotterêts aims to promote the French language through research and cultural exchange.
• 😀 The Edict of Villers-Cotterêts (1539) issued by King François I made French the official language of administration and justice in France, replacing Latin.
• 😀 The new Institute is being established in Villers-Cotterêts, a historically significant location tied to the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts and the birth of the French language in officialdom.

Q & A

What is the International Day of the French Language and when is it celebrated?

The International Day of the French Language is celebrated annually on March 20th. It is a day dedicated to the promotion of the French language and its cultural significance, observed by the United Nations (UNO) and its 193 member states.

How many official languages does the United Nations (UNO) have, and which ones are they?

The United Nations has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

What is the significance of the term 'Francophonie'?

The term 'Francophonie' refers to the global community of French-speaking nations and peoples. It was established to promote the French language and foster cultural, educational, and economic cooperation among French-speaking countries.

When and where was the foundation of the Francophonie established?

The foundation of the Francophonie was established on March 20, 1970, in Niamey, Niger. It was created through a gathering of several prominent leaders from French-speaking countries.

Who were some of the key figures behind the creation of the Francophonie?

Key figures behind the creation of the Francophonie included Léopold Sédar Senghor (Senegal), Habib Bourguiba (Tunisia), Norodom Sihanouk (Cambodia), and Hamani Diori (Niger).

Which region of the world has the largest number of French speakers?

The largest number of French speakers is in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region, where nearly 44% of all French speakers live.

How many people globally speak French, and what percentage lives in France?

Approximately 300 million people speak French worldwide. Of this, only 28% are in France, with significant populations in Africa, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.

What is the role of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)?

The OIF is an international organization that represents 88 member states and governments. Its primary goal is to promote the French language and strengthen cooperation in cultural, educational, and economic areas.

What recent project was planned in France to promote the French language, and what is its significance?

A major project to promote the French language is the International Institute for the French Language, which is to be located in Villers-Cotterêts, France. This institute will be a hub for research, preservation, and development of the French language, symbolically connected to the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts of 1539, which made French the official language of administration and justice in France.

Why was Villers-Cotterêts chosen as the location for the International Institute for the French Language?

Villers-Cotterêts was chosen because it is the site where King François I issued the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts in 1539, which made French the mandatory language in administrative and legal matters in France, marking a significant moment in the history of the French language.