French and Spanish in North Africa
In North Africa there are countries where French or Spanish are spoken, but they are neither the main nor the official languages:
- Algeria, Maghreb French (this is the only North African nation where French is spoken by majority).
- Morocco, Spanish is often spoken as a second language in the former Spanish protectorate, but the French is widely the national second language once the French protectorate was much larger. Haketia (or Western Judaeo-Spanish) is spoken by a few hundreds of Moroccan Jews and is endangered. Another variant, the Spanish language that was spoken by moriscos, is extinct.
- Tunisia, Maghreb French.
- Western Sahara, Spanish language in Western Sahara.
Read more about this topic: Romance-speaking Africa
Famous quotes containing the words french and, french, spanish, north and/or africa:
“... the English are very fond of being entertained, and ... they regard the French and the American people as destined by Heaven to amuse them.”
—M. E. W. Sherwood (1826–1903)
“The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“The hangover became a part of the day as well allowed-for as the Spanish siesta.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940)
“—Here, the flag snaps in the glare and silence
Of the unbroken ice. I stand here,
The dogs bark, my beard is black, and I stare
At the North Pole. . .
And now what? Why, go back.
Turn as I please, my step is to the south.”
—Randall Jarrell (1914–1965)
“I who have cursed
The drunken officer of British rule, how choose
Between this Africa and the English tongue I love?
Betray them both, or give back what they give?
How can I face such slaughter and be cool?
How can I turn from Africa and live?”
—Derek Walcott (b. 1930)