Why Learn French? Here's 9 Reasons To Learn French (Revisited)║Lindsay Does Languages

Summary

In this engaging video, the speaker revisits their initial reasons for learning French and presents nine compelling arguments. French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide and holds cultural significance in many regions. Learning the language provides access to French cuisine, music, cinema, and travel opportunities across French-speaking countries. The video also highlights the similarities between French and other Romance languages, and how learning French can spark interest in other languages and cultures. Viewers are invited to share their own reasons for learning French and access a free French starter pack.

Takeaways

• 😀 French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, making it the fifth most spoken language globally.
• 🌍 French is spoken on every continent except Antarctica, providing wide opportunities to practice it.
• 🗣️ French has a high number of second-language speakers, and knowing other Romance languages can give you a head start.
• 🇫🇷 Many English words share roots with French due to historical influences, making vocabulary easier to learn.
• 📝 A common grammar tip: nouns ending in 'E' are often feminine, providing a useful starting point for gender rules.
• 🍷 France is renowned for its cuisine, but French speakers around the world offer diverse food cultures, from Belgium to French Guiana.
• 🎶 French music spans genres, with artists from European, African, and Canadian French-speaking regions offering a rich selection.
• ✈️ French is spoken in many travel destinations, including islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean, like French Polynesia and Haiti.
• 🎬 French cinema offers a wide range of films and shows, from classic New Wave to contemporary Netflix series.
• 🗺️ Learning French opens doors to exploring other languages and cultures, especially in Francophone Africa and Creole-speaking regions.

Q & A

What is the primary topic of the video?

The video discusses nine reasons to learn French, revisiting the topic to provide updated insights and tips for learning the language.

Why is French considered a globally significant language?

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide as either a native or second language. It is the fifth most-spoken language globally, with speakers across every continent except Antarctica.

How does knowing another Romance language help with learning French?

If you know another Romance language like Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese, you'll find similarities in vocabulary, verb conjugations, and grammatical gender, which can give you a head start in learning French.

What historical connection exists between English and French vocabulary?

The historical French influence on England introduced many French words into English. Some French words are recognizable in English, such as 'dent' in 'dentist' (French for 'tooth'), making it easier for English speakers to learn French vocabulary.

What is a basic tip for understanding French nouns and their gender?

In French, nouns are either masculine or feminine. A helpful rule is that words ending in 'E' tend to be feminine, though there are exceptions.

Why is French cuisine considered a compelling reason to learn the language?

French cuisine is globally renowned, and France has one of the highest numbers of Michelin-star restaurants. Learning French allows you to explore not just French food but also the culinary cultures of other French-speaking countries.

What are some French-speaking countries with unique musical influences?

French-speaking countries with notable music include Côte D'Ivoire (Tiken Jah Fakoly), Mali (Rokia Traoré, Amadou & Mariam), and Canada (Céline Dion, Coeur de Pirate). These countries offer diverse musical styles that enrich the French-speaking world.

What makes the French-speaking world appealing for travelers?

The French-speaking world spans diverse regions, including Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, offering travelers a variety of cultures, landscapes, and experiences to explore, such as Paris, French Polynesia, and Haiti.

What are some French-language films and shows recommended for learners?

Recommended French-language films include 'Amélie,' 'My Life as a Courgette,' and 'Persepolis.' Suggested shows on Netflix include 'Marseille,' 'Call My Agent,' and 'The Hook Up Plan,' providing entertainment and additional language exposure.

What other languages coexist with French in various regions?

In France, languages like Breton, Catalan, Basque, and Occitan are spoken. In French-speaking Africa, there are many local languages such as Lingala, Malagasy, and Wolof, making French a bridge to exploring these diverse linguistic landscapes.

What are some reasons people have for learning French according to the video?

Reasons include visiting French-speaking countries, exploring French culture, communicating with French-speaking friends or partners, living in a French-speaking environment, enjoying French films and music, and the desire to learn a beautiful and widely-spoken language.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Global Reach of the French Language

The video begins with an introduction to nine reasons to learn French, highlighting the language's global presence. French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, either as a native or second language, making it the fifth most-spoken language globally. The speaker emphasizes the broad distribution of French speakers across continents, excluding Antarctica, and offers a free French starter pack for beginners. The video also touches on the benefits for those who know other Romance languages, as French shares similarities in vocabulary and grammar, providing an advantage in learning. Additionally, English speakers can leverage shared vocabulary due to historical connections between English and French.

05:01

🍽️ French Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

This segment delves into the allure of French cuisine and the international recognition it enjoys, with France boasting a high number of Michelin-starred restaurants. The speaker suggests that even if French food isn't appealing, there are numerous French-speaking regions worldwide offering diverse culinary experiences, such as Belgium with its waffles, beer, and chocolate, or French Guyana with its Creole dishes. The video also explores French music, mentioning contemporary artists and those from African French-speaking countries, providing a rich cultural tapestry for learners to explore. The speaker encourages viewers to consider the cultural richness of the French language as a gateway to experiencing various traditions and lifestyles.

Keywords

💡French

French is a Romance language spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, either as a native or second language. In the video, French is highlighted as the fifth most-spoken language globally, emphasizing its widespread use and the opportunity it provides for communication with a large number of speakers across different continents, except Antarctica.

💡Romance language

A Romance language is a language that evolved from Vulgar Latin and is characterized by features such as noun genders, verb conjugations, and a shared vocabulary. The video mentions that French is a Romance language, which can be advantageous for learners of other Romance languages due to similarities in grammar and vocabulary.

💡Michelin-star restaurants

Michelin-star restaurants are establishments that have been awarded stars by the Michelin Guide for their high-quality cuisine. The video notes that France has one of the highest numbers of Michelin-star restaurants, indicating the country's reputation for fine dining and the cultural significance of French cuisine.

💡Circumflex

The circumflex, or hat accent, is a diacritic mark in the French language that can indicate the historical presence of an 's' in a word. The video uses 'hôtel' as an example, where the circumflex over the 'o' suggests that the word once contained an 's', making it a useful tool for understanding the evolution of French vocabulary.

💡French cuisine

French cuisine refers to the cooking traditions and practices originating from France, which are renowned for their quality and diversity. The video emphasizes French cuisine as a significant cultural aspect, mentioning specific dishes and the influence of French culinary practices in other French-speaking regions, such as Belgium.

💡French music

French music encompasses a wide range of musical styles and genres from France, including both traditional and modern artists. The video discusses the diversity of French music, from classic Parisian café tunes to contemporary artists like Stromae and Angèle, and even music from French-speaking African countries, showcasing the cultural richness of the French language through its music.

💡French-speaking world

The French-speaking world refers to the global community of people who speak French, which includes not only France but also other countries and regions where French is spoken. The video highlights the diversity of the French-speaking world, mentioning various countries and regions where French is spoken, and the unique cultural experiences one can have by learning the language.

💡French-based Creoles

French-based Creoles are languages that have developed from a mix of French and other languages, often in colonial contexts. The video mentions Haitian Creole as an example, indicating the linguistic diversity that can be explored through the French language and its historical influence on other linguistic developments.

💡April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day, known as 'Poisson d'Avril' in French, is a day celebrated on April 1st where people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. The video teases a French tradition related to this day, suggesting a cultural aspect that learners of French might find intriguing and a way to connect with the language through its customs.

💡Language learning

Language learning in the context of the video refers to the process of acquiring proficiency in the French language. The video provides reasons to learn French, such as cultural exploration, travel opportunities, and personal connections, which are common motivations for language learners and are used to encourage viewers to embark on their own language learning journey.

Highlights

French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide, making it the world's fifth most spoken language.

French speakers are spread across every continent except Antarctica, offering global opportunities to practice the language.

The high number of second-language speakers gives French a unique edge, with many people speaking it alongside other languages.

Knowing another Romance language, like Spanish or Italian, can give you a head start in learning French due to similar vocabulary and grammar structures.

English and French share common vocabulary, a relic from the French influence on English, making certain words easier to learn, like 'dent' (tooth) and 'hôtel' (hotel).

Nouns in French are either masculine or feminine, and a helpful rule of thumb is that nouns ending in 'E' tend to be feminine.

French cuisine, renowned globally, includes famous dishes like croque monsieur, with French-speaking countries offering diverse culinary traditions.

Belgium, French Guyana, and Canada are just a few of the many places outside of France where French is spoken, showcasing the language's global reach.

French music is vibrant and diverse, with artists from across the world, including African French-speaking countries like Côte D'Ivoire and Mali, offering a rich cultural soundtrack.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has the largest population of French speakers, reflecting French's importance in multilingual regions of Africa.

French is spoken in multiple island nations, including Vanuatu, French Polynesia, and Haiti, adding to its global allure for travelers.

France is the most-visited country in the world, with Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and the Loire Valley offering iconic destinations for tourists.

French cinema includes old-school classics like 'Breathless' and 'Jules & Jim,' as well as modern hits like 'Amélie,' offering great ways to immerse yourself in the language.

Many French-based Creoles, like Haitian Creole, are spoken globally, expanding your linguistic horizons when learning French.

French learners are drawn to the language for diverse reasons, from living in French-speaking countries to exploring its rich culture, history, and cuisine.

Transcripts

Salut! Ça va?

In this video we're going to look at

nine reasons to learn French.

Wait, wait! Maybe you're thinking

"This already exists! why are you doing this?"

Well, I wanted to revisit some of those first embarrassing videos

and do some new nine reasons for those languages,

and the first is French.

But arrête!

Before we go any further,

if you are learning French or you want to get started,

I have a free French starter pack for you.

Click the link in the description below to get your hands on it.

[9 Reasons to learn French revisited]

Reason number Un:

French is spoken by over 300 million worldwide,

either as a native language or a second language.

Oh, that's a big number!

This not only means there's quite a few people to speak with,

but also French speakers are spread across every continent except Antartica

because, you know, penguins don't speak French.

This high number of speakers makes it the world's fifth most-spoken language

when you include not just native speakers but everyone who speaks the language.

Wow.

Reason number deux:

What's interesting about French compared to other languages on that list,

something that boosts it up to fifth,

is the high number of second-language French speakers.

What does that mean?

People who either live bilingually or multilingually with French

alongside other languages in their life, or people who have learnt the language,

like toi et moi.

Not only that, but

as French is a Romance language, if you know another Romance language,

something like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese or more regional varieties,

then this gives you a heads up.

There's a lot of vocabulary that is kind of similar,

the idea of verb conjugations, the idea of gender:

all of that stuff you'll be familiar with already.

Boom, leg up.

But fear not if you only know English:

Thanks to the French taking over England for a bit way back when,

there's quite a bit of shared vocabulary between English and French as well.

Some will help you make links to French words.

For example, "dentist": the French word for "tooth" is "dent".

Others are a little more curious at first,

but easy to get the hang of when you know the patterns.

For example, that French hat accent, aka a circumflex,

actually indicates there used to be an "S" where that letter was.

Not always, but a lot of the time.

For example, the word "hôtel":

Little hat on the "O", hostel!

Ah!

"hôpital", hospital, c'est magique!

Reason number trois: speaking of magique,

there's plenty of magic moments to be found when it comes to French grammar.

I'm talking about little knowledge nuggets to help piece together the bigger picture.

Here's a simple one to get you started:

Nouns in French are either masculine or feminine.

It's not a hard and fast rule because you know, grammar,

but words that end in "E" tend to be feminine.

So that's something that you can at least use as a starting point

to figure out the gender of new nouns that you encounter.

Reason number quatre:

the French are well-known internationally for their food and drink.

I'm talking wine, all the cheese, all the bread,

coq monsieur, basically a cheese and ham toastie

but really glamorous because it's in French.

In fact, France is one of the countries in the world

with the highest number of Michelin-star restaurants.

Probably not surprising seeing as the company is French, but...

But hey! Those 300 million French speakers?

Not all in France.

So if French cuisine isn't your thing, pas de problème!

To give you a few foodie options of places to practice your French

just next door you've got Belgium, famous for Belgian waffles, Belgian beer,

Belgian chocolate, Belgian moules frites...

they don't usually say "Belgian" there, but you get the picture.

Oh and of course, dare I say it, Belgium?

French fries!

Oui, it's disputed whether the French or the Belgians invented the French fry,

but the Canadians went one step further,

threw on some cheese curds, threw on some gravy

and called it "poutine".

If warmer weather is more your climate,

French Guyana in South America has a whole host of

totally different foods waiting for you:

rice and beans, Creole dishes, cassava, smoked fish...

Okay, enough about food already, I'm starving now.

Reason number cinq: la musique!

At first glance, French music may seem all black and white Parisian café vibes,

But non, non, non!

You've got modern European options like Stromae, Angèle, Yelle,

a whole host of musicians from Quebec like Coeur de Pirate, Arcade Fire--

yeah, I know they mostly sing in English-- and Celine Dion.

But most excitingly, you've got plenty of music to discover

from African French-speaking countries.

Okay, I'll give you some to get you started:

Tiken Jah Fakoly from Côte D'Ivoire, Rokia Traoré and Amdou & Mariam from Mali.

And then there's plenty of artists who've spent lots of time in France

but have African roots such as Aya Nakamura, originally from Mali,

and Jim, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo,

which, incidentally, is the country with the biggest French-speaking population,

although there are plenty of national languages there alongside French

such as Kituba, Lingala, Tsiluba and Swahili.

Reason number six:

If all this talk of music and food from across the French-speaking globe

has you dreaming of visiting some of these places,

then you're in luck.

Being spoken across such diverse parts of the planet means

there's something for every traveller in the French-speaking world,

and we haven't even mentioned the islands yet.

Tucked away in the South Pacific, French-speakers can be found in

Vanuatu, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.

Across in the Caribbean,

French is spoken in even more island nations including Haiti,

where French is an official language despite the fact that

only 42% of the population are estimated to speak French.

The more widely-spoken language? Haitian Creole,

which is actually a French-based Creole, giving you even more to discover.

Coming back to France, how could we ignore the country that

frequently tops the list of most-visited countries and places

in the world every single year?

There's a lot there too.

Firstly, there's Paris... ah.

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the history, the romance, the cafés...

Paris is always a good idea.

Beyond Paris you've got sights aplenty: Côte D'Azur, Brittany, Provence,

Loire Valley, Mont St. Michel, The Alps... Beaucoup!

Reason number sept:

and while you're busy planning your escape to all those lovely places,

there's plenty to keep you busy at home too.

There's lots of good stuff to watch in French,

not only to keep you entertained but to give you some extra French exposure too.

Très bien.

You've got old-school French new wave like Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless" and

François Truffaut's "Jules & Jim".

You've got modern classics like "Amélie" and "Girlhood".

There's plenty of inspiring animated films like "My Life as a Courgette",

"Belleville Rendez-Vous" and "Persepolis".

When it comes to Netflix shows to stream, prepare to add some things to your list.

"Marseille", "Call My Agent", "The Hook Up Plan", "The Forest",

"The Chalet"... beaucoup again!

Reason number huit:

French is a language that exists alongside many other languages across the world

including a number of French-based creoles.

We've already mentioned Haitian Creole,

a language I even saw on street signs in New York.

But if it's France that's caught your heart,

there are plenty of other languages to explore there too.

Breton in the North, Catalan, Basque and Occitan in the South,

among others.

In Francophone Africa there are plenty of other languages to get curious about.

Lingala, Malagasy, Wolof... So many languages to discover

that French might help to spark that little interest for.

Reason number neuf:

when you learn French you get to learn about fun traditions,

like what April Fool's Day has to do with a fish.

Do you know this one already? Let me know in the comments down below.

Oh, bonus reason: reason number dix!

and onze, and douze, and treize and... these are your reasons!

I asked over on Instagram what your reasons are for learning French

and here are some of the answers you gave:

to visit Paris and sing along with Zaz,

exploring the culture,

visiting Rwanda and the DRC soon,

living in France with my French husband,

I live in a French-speaking country,

it's fun to learn about French culture and cuisine,

so I can have a conversation in French with my husband because

he already speaks it and I'm jealous,

my best friend is French,

to talk with my friends in France,

French-speaking Africa will become very influential in the future

due to the large population,

I love French films,

it's a beautiful language,

I would like to live in France someday.

So there we have it.

That's my nine reasons and your many reasons to learn French.

But what about you? What are your own reasons to learn?

Let me know in the comments below

and remember if you're just getting started

I have a free French starter pack for you,

You can get it at that link down in the description

and I will see you very soon!

Remember to subscribe and tap the bell

so you can get regular language-learning videos

straight on your YouTube feed and I will see you very soon.

Merci, à bientôt!

Subtitles by the Amara.org community