France

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1958, Constitution, Article 2.1). 63,900,000 in France, all users. L1 users: 62,400,000 in France (2020). L2 users: 1,500,000 (2018). Total users in all countries: 274,067,040 (as L1: 79,867,770; as L2: 194,199,270).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 26,436,000 in France, all users. L1 users: 236,000 in France (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 26,200,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Developing)

Armenian, Western

[hyw] 5* (Developing). 70,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

Caló

[rmq] 5* (Developing). 15,000 in France.

French Sign Language

[fsl] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Code de l’éducation, Partie législative, Deuxième partie, Livre III, Titre 1er, Chapitre II, Article L312-9-1, Section 3 bis), Recognized as a complete language for use in education. 100,000 in France (2019 Fédération Nationale des Sourds de France). Approximately 0.15% of the total population. Other estimates: 80,000 (1998 D. Gillot), 119,000 deaf signers (2010 Association Française des Interprètes en Language des Signes), 169,000 deaf (2014 IMB), 300,000 (2019 EUD). Approximately 1,000 use the southern variety, called Marseille Sign Language (Sallagoity 1975). Total users in all countries: 103,405.

5 (Dispersed)

Catalan

[cat] 5 (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), education. 126,000 in France (2013).

German, Standard

[deu] 5* (Dispersed). 4,000,000 in France (2020), L2 users.

Italian

[ita] 5* (Dispersed). 829,000 in France (2008 census).

Luxembourgish

[ltz] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 40,000 in France (2001 J. Nousse).

Portuguese

[por] 5* (Dispersed). 959,000 in France (2008 census).

Romani, Sinte

[rmo] 5* (Dispersed). 28,400 in France (2000).

Spanish

[spa] 5* (Dispersed). 6,451,000 in France, all users. L1 users: 461,000 in France (2020). L2 users: 5,990,000 (2020).

6a (Vigorous)

Alsatian

[gsw] 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 900,000 in France (2013).

Lorraine Franconian

[pfl] 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 400,000 in France (2013).

6b (Threatened)

Corsican

[cos] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in Corsica (2002, Act. No. 2002-92 (22 Jan) on Corsica, Article 7), mainly used in education. 150,000 in France (2013), decreasing. Ethnic population: 315,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 151,000.

Norman French

[nrf] 6b* (Threatened). 17,000 in France (2015 M. Jones).

Occitan

[oci] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 110,000 in France (Bernissan 2012). Total users in all countries: 218,310.

7 (Shifting)

Basque

[eus] 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 72,000 in France (2013). Ethnic population: 730,000 (Johnstone 1993).

8a (Moribund)

Breton

[bre] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 206,000 (2013 R. Milin), decreasing.

Erromintxela

[emx] 8a (Moribund). 500 in France (2009 J. McLaughlin). Total users in all countries: 1,000.

Ligurian

[lij] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 300–400 in Corsica (Salminen 2007).

West Flemish

[vls] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 30,000 in France (2013).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Algerian Jewish Sign Language

[ajs] 8b (Nearly extinct). Unknown number in France, very few in Israel, none in Algeria (Lanesman and Meir 2012).

Arpitan

[frp] 8b (Nearly extinct). Recognized language (2013, Law No. 595), Education. 150,000 in France (2013). Total users in all countries: 227,000.

Picard

[pcd] 8b (Nearly extinct). Recognized language (2013, No. 595), Education. 500,000 in France (Auger 2011). Total users in all countries: 700,000.

10 (Extinct)

Shuadit

[sdt] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last known speaker, Armand Lunel, died in 1977.

Unestablished

Arabic, Algerian Spoken

[arq] Unestablished. 1,350,000 in France (2008 census).

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken

[ary] Unestablished. 1,140,000 in France (2008 census).

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 46,400 in France (2008 census). Ethnic population: 300,000 (2021 A. Dusséaux).

Arabic, Tunisian Spoken

[aeb] Unestablished. 447,000 in France (2008 census).

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 7,000 in France (2018), based on nationality.

Cham, Western

[cja] Unestablished. 1,000 in France.

Hmong Daw

[mww] Unestablished. 10,000 in France.

Kabuverdianu

[kea] Unestablished. 26,000 in France (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante).

Kabyle

[kab] Unestablished. 537,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

Khmer

[khm] Unestablished. 50,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

Khmu

[kjg] Unestablished. 1,500 in France (2010).

Korean

[kor] Unestablished. 29,200 in France (2019 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), based on nationality.

Lesser Antillean French Creole

[acf] Unestablished. 150,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

Morisyen

[mfe] Unestablished. 1,000 in France (2005).

Persian, Iranian

[pes] Unestablished. 40,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

Romani, Balkan

[rmn] Unestablished. 10,500 in France. 10,000 Arlija, 500 Dzambazi.

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] Unestablished. 10,000 in France. 8,000 Kalderash, 2,000 Lovari.

Tamazight, Central Atlas

[tzm] Unestablished. 150,000 in France (1995). All Berber speakers 1,500,000 in France.

Tamil

[tam] Unestablished. 125,000 in France (Murugaiyan 2013).

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 444,000 in France (2008 census).

Vietnamese

[vie] Unestablished. 10,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc). Ethnic population: 592,000 (2000).

Wolof

[wol] Unestablished. 35,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).

France

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