Languages of The Democratic Republic of The Congo - French

French

See also: African French

French is the official language of the country since its colonial period under Belgian rule. Therefore, the variety of French used in the DRC has many similarities with Belgian French. French has been maintained as the official language since the time of independence because it is widely spoken around the educated groups in the country, it belongs to none of the indigenous ethnic groups and eases communication between them as well as with the rest of the Francophonie, which includes many African countries. According to the OIF, 6,080,000 or 10% of the population were proficient French speakers in 2005 whereas another 18,240,000 or 30.0% were partially French speaking. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently the most populous French-speaking country.

Read more about this topic:  Languages Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Famous quotes containing the word french:

    “The third day of Christmas,
    My true love sent to me
    Three French hens,”
    —Unknown. The Twelve Days of Christmas (l. 8–10)

    “Nothing is ever simple. What do you do when you discover you like parts of the role you’re trying to escape?”
    —Marilyn French (b. 1929)

    “It was not reason that besieged Troy; it was not reason that sent forth the Saracen from the desert to conquer the world; that inspired the crusades; that instituted the monastic orders; it was not reason that produced the Jesuits; above all, it was not reason that created the French Revolution. Man is only great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination.”
    —Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)