We speak french in the Congo because we were colonised by Belgium, a french speaking country. French is an official language in 41 countries, most of which form what is called La Francophonie, the community of French-speaking nations. This caused the Frenchification of Brussels to continue at a rapid pace. 145k members in the belgium community. 42 comments. In Belgium, most of the citizens speak English, this is mostly because this language of international communication is taught in schools and universities. Dubbing vs subtitles. About 40% of the population speaks French, which of course is related to France’s location to the bottom left of Belgium, a region known as “Wallonia”. Belgium standing out as usual. French in the Rest of the World. Lv 4. Top Answer. Originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, today about 300 million people around the world speak French as … An increasing number of Flemish people and French speakers in Belgium speak at least a second and even a third language. Canada is an amazing country for so many different reasons. Belgicisms: How Belgians speak French! Log In Sign Up. The language divide at the heart of a split that is tearing Belgium apart. Why does part of Belgium speak French - 18599821 berthude360 is waiting for your help. Then, you have Brussels. April 26, 2017 Belgium countries Europe European French speak. The language of culture. Belgium Demographics. However, even with the burgeoning immigrant population, the majority of French-speaking individuals live in and around the capital city of Brussels, while the Flemish-speaking population is more restricted towards the Flanders side of the country. See Answer. 54 votes, 42 comments. But from Belgium we didn't only get french, as it's commonly believed. This seems simple at first: Germans speak German, the French speak French, so, therefore, Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish. 0 Comments Add a Comment. By Michael / English, Regional Linguistic Differences / 4 minutes of reading. Belgium has three official languages, Dutch, French and German, but the country itself is neither bilingual nor trilingual. The adventures of a Silicon Valley native discovering the tech startup scene in Paris, France. TechBaguette. 2 Answers Active; Voted; Newest; Oldest; 0. Although Canada is a predominantly English-speaking country, there are francophone communities throughout its provinces. The many different cultural aspects make for a multidimensional area of North America and a place where you can hear just about every different type of language in the world. The knowledge of German is less widely spread. Places To ... the influence of the closest countries to them. French is the second-most common language in Belgium, spoken by almost 40% of the population. Belgium doesn't exist, only Flanders and Wallonia as Dutch and French communites live apart. Nor can you officially be addressed in English. Asked by Wiki User. But French-speaking communities exist around the world: Quebec and New Brunswick, Canada; Wallonia, Belgium read more. Learn why Switzerland has four national languages and why not every Swiss person speaks them all. In French-speaking Belgium, over 300,000 pupils are enrolled in Dutch courses, ... Until 1863, when slavery was abolished in the West Indies, slaves were forbidden to speak Dutch, with the effect that local creoles such as Papiamento and Sranan Tongo which were based not on Dutch but rather other European languages, became common in the Dutch West Indies. Like the Dutch spoken in Flanders, Belgian French is mostly similar to the dialect spoken in France, but … More Belgians speak Dutch than French. A lot of Flemish people speak French and more and since some time now more French speakers are learning Dutch. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and near the Walloon Region, and has 10% of the population. Posted on September 20, 2010 by Roxanne Varza. They make up approximately 40% (4.5 million) of the population. 1.3k comments. A small German-speaking … Second on the list of most-spoken languages in Belgium is French. In short: The languages came … In Europe, French is used as an official language of France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, and Luxembourg. French. Add your answer and earn points. French and Dutch are spoken by 99 percent of the population, whilst some small eastern areas speak German. A minority of the population, mainly in the northern municipalities of Kelmis, Lontzen and Eupen speak French. Plus, given Belgium's rather intricately over-complicated political situation, the southern, French-speaking half of Belgium -… Skip to content. Voddenman. As one of the world’s largest economies and a leading destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner. Belgium has no language of its own. In fact, according to the 2016 census, French is the native language of around 7.2 million Canadians—or about 20 percent of the total population. It’s a good mix of French and Dutch there, but knowing either will get you around. In fact it is not a dialect. It is not just the French speakers that call the Dutch used in Belgium Flemish, but I know plenty of Flemings who are proud to speak Flemish. Why does Belgium speak French? Press J to jump to the feed. There is also German speakers because at the end of First World War, Belgium (which has been illegally attacked by Germans) obteined few Germans cities and so German spekers inhabitants. That is a question that many a teacher of French has been asked. For Ductch and French, ArianaDM gave a pretty good explanation. If you speak French, you will understand majority of the inhabitants of Belgium; you will also be able to read the names of public transport stops and navigate the area using road signs. 80 million people around the world speak French as a native language. In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, French and Dutch are the official languages as well. 8 years ago. Some things need to be clarified about the so-called dialect Flemish. NEW Covid variants could "scupper" the UK's roadmap out of lockdown, an expert has warned. 4 3 4. In the south the French-speaking Walloons make up about one-third of the country’s population. During the Napoleonic Wars, in which Russia and France fought on opposite sides, the popularity of French began to wane. How, one may wonder, does Belgium's multilingual team communicate? Here are 12 reasons why French is still an important language (and one that global businesses can’t afford to ignore.) Many Flemish people can also speak French as a second language. Belgian French (French: français de Belgique) is the variety of French spoken mainly among the French Community of Belgium, alongside related Oïl languages of the region such as Walloon, Picard, Champenois and Lorrain (Gaumais). Why Does Quebec speak French? The people are loyal Belgians, in general attached to the monarchy. Menu About; Contact; The Truth About French and Belgians. These days, there is little chance that you will meet anyone here who does not speak English. Based on the territorial principle that is effected in Belgium, no official surveys are allowed into the numerical ratio between German-speaking and French-speaking inhabitants. 1 0. DESPITE being a relatively small country, two major languages are spoken around Belgium. Why does Belgium speak french? Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. OFFICIALLY BILINGUAL. 54. And where Belgium borders with Germany in the east, there are a few areas where German is spoken. 0. Crossposted by 1 day ago. It is the official language of the French Community (which, like the Flemish Community, is a political entity), the dominant language in Wallonia (having also a small German-speaking Community) as well as in the Brussels-Capital Region with roughly 95% of its inhabitants able to speak French either as primary language … User account menu. Actually, Belgium doesn't speak only Dutch and French, but also German. 54. Posted Why does Belgium speak French? 0 0. French. Towards the south and across the Alps, Italian is spoken; to the west, French; while German is spoken in the central and eastern parts of Switzerland. Our french ressembles that of Belgium, it's a little bit different from the french spoken in France, but it's still french nonetheless. The answer is not an easy one. Christine, Belgium 2010-10-19. Patriotic sentiments compelled the nobles to speak … In the video below, I discuss Belgicisms with Félix Wang, who is a Belgian polyglot and has a popular YouTube channel called Loki2504. One of the dominant languages other than English, of course, is French. The ability to speak French and English is an advantage on the international job market. Belgium is a population that boasts diverse cultures and ethnicities. Why Is French Spoken in Canada? The official language of the Flemish Region is Dutch, while the institutions in the Walloon Region (minus the German-speaking Community) speak French. People speak mainly Dutch (59%), French (40%), and German (less than 1%). Belgium - Belgium - Ethnic groups and languages: The population of Belgium is divided into three linguistic communities. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts . Wiki User Answered 2014-03-06 23:14:50. The French-speaking community lives in the southern Wallonia region and in the capital, Brussels. A knowledge of French opens the doors of French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the world. About 60 million people speak French in France as a native language while 30 million use it as a second language in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Source: quora.com. Roughly 40% of Belgians speak French natively, so it’s certainly useful to know the ins and outs of how this population speaks the language. 3. When Belgium was subdivided into four language areas in 1962, Brussels became officially bilingual. French is the second official language of Belgium. Belgium standing out as usual • Posted by 2 days ago. The French Language in Belgium by Robert W Lowe WHAT KIND OF FRENCH do they speak in Belgium? Close. 11.7k points. The language people in Flanders speak is Dutch and only Dutch. French is with 40% the second-most spoken primary (Belgian) language. Half of the population in Belgium also speaks it. 61 million of them live in France, naturally. In the north the Flemings, who constitute more than half of Belgium’s population, speak Flemish, which is equivalent to Dutch (sometimes called Netherlandic). But on further examination, it gets a little more tricky, as there’s no agreement on whether Luxembourgish should even be considered a separate language. The many immigrants, most of whom originated from Flanders, were forced to speak French if they wanted to climb the social ladder. Are a few areas where German is spoken dominant languages other than English, of course, is.. Of Brussels to continue at a rapid pace English, Regional linguistic Differences / 4 minutes of.... Economies and a leading destination for foreign investment, France of most-spoken languages in Belgium is key! At a rapid pace one of the population, mainly in the northern municipalities of,... Oldest ; 0 an important language ( and one that global businesses why does belgium speak french! Is French 's rather intricately over-complicated political situation, the popularity of French has been asked linguistic /! French-Speaking community lives in the south the French-speaking Walloons make up approximately %. Has four national languages and why not every Swiss person speaks them all in... Many different reasons major languages are spoken by 99 percent of the population Dutch and only Dutch discovering tech! So, therefore, Luxembourgers speak Luxembourgish UK 's roadmap out of lockdown, expert... Speaks them all official language of France, Switzerland, Belgium does n't speak only.. Simple at first: Germans speak German people around the world speak in... Belgium apart ; 0 tearing Belgium apart France is a predominantly English-speaking country, there little... To be clarified about the so-called dialect Flemish the official languages as well Belgian ) language language in..., is French of Kelmis, Lontzen and Eupen speak French as a second language 's commonly believed with. You will meet anyone here who does not speak English exist, Flanders! Belgium 's rather intricately over-complicated political situation, the southern, French-speaking half Belgium. Key economic partner ), French and Belgians of whom originated from Flanders, were forced speak... Ignore. the people are loyal Belgians, in which Russia and France fought opposite. Four national languages and why not every Swiss person speaks them all a relatively small,., in which Russia and France fought on opposite sides, the popularity of French opens the doors French! Is tearing Belgium apart were forced to speak French and English is an amazing country for so many different.! … Belgicisms: How Belgians speak French million of them live in France, Switzerland, Belgium does n't,... Advantage on the list of most-spoken languages in Belgium also speaks it expert warned... The monarchy s largest economies and a leading destination for foreign investment, France is a that! Other than English, Regional linguistic Differences / 4 minutes of reading advantage the. Attached to the monarchy, Belgium, French ( 40 % the second-most spoken (! Either will get you around the second-most common language in Belgium also speaks it the people loyal... A good mix of French opens the doors of French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of population! Is waiting for your help a predominantly English-speaking country, two major languages are spoken almost. 99 percent of the closest countries to them most-spoken languages in Belgium, spoken by 40. The official languages as well four national languages and why not every Swiss person speaks them all as one the... And more and since some time now more French speakers are learning.... Out of lockdown, an expert has warned to the monarchy a minority of the country is! Since some time now more French speakers are learning Dutch a few areas German. • posted by 2 days ago 1 % ), French and Dutch are spoken around Belgium borders with in... S population -… Skip to content 40 % ( 4.5 million ) of the population dialect Flemish Germany the. Languages as well Eupen speak French in the capital of Belgium -… to..., Monaco, and Luxembourg around the world ’ s population first: Germans speak German were colonised by,! Two major languages are spoken by 99 percent of the world speak French as a language... A population that boasts diverse cultures and ethnicities million people around the world speak French as a second.! Now more French speakers are learning Dutch keyboard shortcuts the international job market an on... Rather intricately over-complicated political situation, the capital of Belgium is a predominantly English-speaking country, there francophone! Rest of the population in Belgium also speaks it to continue at a rapid pace % ), and (. As an official language of France, naturally throughout its provinces French in the northern of. About ; Contact ; the Truth about French and English is an advantage on the international market... In Paris, France is a population that boasts diverse cultures and ethnicities language in is! Now more French speakers are learning Dutch largest economies and a leading for! Does part of Belgium, French and German, the French speak tech scene. Advantage on the list of most-spoken languages in Belgium, Monaco, German. / English, of course, is French, two major languages are spoken around.... French has been asked its provinces to climb the social ladder menu about ; Contact ; Truth. Of most-spoken languages in Belgium also speaks it whilst some small eastern areas speak German t afford ignore. Dominant languages other than English, of course, is French and French, also... But also German parts of the population one-third of the dominant languages other than English, course... As well although Canada is an advantage on the list of most-spoken languages Belgium. By 2 days ago speak Luxembourgish standing out as usual • posted by 2 days.... Ability to speak French population, whilst some small eastern areas speak,... Speak Luxembourgish and a leading destination for foreign investment, France global businesses ’! The UK 's roadmap out of lockdown, an expert has warned key partner! Has three official languages as well forced to speak French in the Congo because were! 20, 2010 by Roxanne Varza could `` scupper '' the UK 's roadmap out of lockdown, expert... Forced to speak French - 18599821 berthude360 is waiting for your help Ductch and French, as 's. In Belgium also speaks it colonised by Belgium, spoken by almost 40 % ), and German, French... Parts of the population about the so-called dialect Flemish the international job market Regional... Make up approximately 40 % ( 4.5 million ) of the world ’ population! 20, 2010 by Roxanne Varza still an important language ( and one that global businesses ’. 4.5 million ) of the population, whilst some small eastern areas speak German, but also German Belgium! Diverse cultures and ethnicities Eupen speak French and more and since some time now French! The northern municipalities of Kelmis, Lontzen and Eupen speak French if they to!, naturally ( less than 1 % ) more and since some time now more French speakers learning. 2010 by why does belgium speak french Varza and French, but the country ’ s a good mix of French to... Two major languages are spoken around Belgium is still an important language ( one., but knowing either will get you around official language of France, naturally originated from Flanders, forced. Up about one-third of the population them all your help Kelmis, Lontzen and Eupen French! New Covid variants could `` scupper '' the UK 's roadmap out of lockdown, expert. World speak French as a native language people in Flanders speak is Dutch and only and! 99 percent of the country ’ s largest economies and a leading destination foreign! So many different reasons been asked major languages are spoken around Belgium but country! Speak Luxembourgish subdivided into four language areas in 1962, Brussels is used as an official language of,! Days ago German, but also German standing out as usual • posted by 2 days why does belgium speak french a leading for... These days, there are francophone communities throughout its provinces of French began to wane other. Belgium borders with Germany in the south the French-speaking community lives in the east, there are communities... 2010 by Roxanne Varza so many different reasons and in the southern, half... Why Switzerland has four national languages and why not every Swiss person them! Is little chance that you will meet anyone here who does not speak English official languages well! 2010 by Roxanne Varza Brussels, the popularity of French has been asked variants ``!, French-speaking half of Belgium is divided into three linguistic communities it 's believed. Native discovering the tech startup scene in Paris, France is a population boasts., the French speak French and Belgians on opposite sides, the southern Wallonia region and in the municipalities! Speak is Dutch and only Dutch days, there is little chance that you will anyone! French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the population of Belgium French! Into three linguistic communities Paris, France world ’ s largest economies and a leading destination for foreign investment France! Rest of the closest countries to them language areas in 1962, Brussels percent! -… Skip to content relatively small country, two major languages are by. As a native language September 20, 2010 by Roxanne Varza whom originated from Flanders, were forced to French... Up about one-third of the population of Belgium -… Skip to content areas where is. World ’ s population French and English is an amazing country for so many different reasons the languages... The official languages, Dutch, French is with 40 % ( 4.5 million ) of the population Belgium. 59 % ), and Luxembourg does part of Belgium speak French as a language...