day · fixed · day 79 of 365

French Language Day

Celebrating rich heritage, the melodious language of romance captivates with its elegance, sparking cultural curiosity and connection.

Countries & Cultures Language42

Marketing angleinferred

Celebrate French language and culture with educational content, streaming recommendations, and cultural engagement to reach language learners and Francophile audiences.

Relevance 42low intent

Share a curated playlist of iconic French music and films for the month
Launch a 'Learn French in March' challenge with daily vocabulary tips and pronunciation guides
Feature French cultural stories and travel inspiration to French-speaking destinations
Highlight French language learning tools and resources for beginners and intermediate learners

History

French Language Day was started in 2010 through an initiative of the United Nations Department of Public Information.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness and respect for the culture, history and achievements of the six major languages of the people of the world. The other five official languages of the United Nations include Arabic, Russian, Chinese, English and Spanish.

French is a fascinating language because not only is it a working language of the UN but it is an official language in Europe, Africa and North America. It is spoken in some capacity on all of the continents of the world, and that is certainly worth celebrating!

It was decided by the UN that French Language Day would be observed on this day as it is the anniversary of the International Organization of La Francophonie. This is the organization that represents French-speaking countries and was founded on March 20, 1970.

How to celebrate

Try Speaking French

One of the best ways to begin celebrating French Language Day is to try speaking some French, of course. Those who have very little experience might want to start with a few common words, and those who may have taken French in school can brush off some vocabulary and try using it again. Or, it might be fun to consider some words in English that have French roots, such as croissant, etiquette, crochet and rendezvous.

Watch a French Film

An excellent way to get on board with French Language Day, even for folks who aren’t fluent in French, is to listen to it being spoken. But unless a person happens to have a French friend, it might be easier to do this by engaging with a French language film. To understand what’s going on, turn on the subtitles in English but listen along in French.

Listen to French Music

Show some love and appreciation for French Language Day by listening to and enjoying some French music throughout the day. Make a little playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, or another platform with favorite artists that sing in the French language, including some of these songs and albums: Careless Love by Madeleine Peyroux (2004)La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf (1947)Joe le taxi by Vanessa Paradis (1987)L’amour by Karim Ouellet (2012) French Language Day Timeline842Strasbourg Oaths Mark Earliest Old French TextThe Strasbourg Oaths, mutual pledges between Louis the German and Charles the Bald, were recorded in a Romance vernacular that scholars recognize as the oldest surviving text in Old French. 813Council of Tours Encourages Use of the “Rustic Romance”The Council of Tours ordered sermons to be preached in the “rustica romana lingua,” acknowledging that ordinary people no longer understood Latin and paving the way for French as a distinct written language. [1]1539Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts Makes French the Language of LawKing Francis I issued the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, requiring legal acts and judicial records in France to be written in French instead of Latin, cementing French as the kingdom’s administrative language. [1]1635The Académie Française Is Founded to Standardize FrenchCardinal Richelieu secures royal letters patent creating the Académie Française, tasked with fixing rules for grammar and usage and compiling an authoritative dictionary to regulate the French language. [1]1694First Edition of the Académie Française Dictionary AppearsAfter decades of work, the Académie Française publishes the first edition of its Dictionnaire, a major step in codifying spelling, vocabulary, and norms for standard French across the kingdom. [1]1878French Becomes Dominant Language of International DiplomacyAt the Congress of Berlin and other 19th‑century conferences, French was routinely adopted as the working language of treaties and negotiations, reinforcing its status as the principal language of diplomacy. [1]1970Niamey Convention Founds the Francophone AgencyThe signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger created the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, precursor to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, to promote the French language and cultural cooperation worldwide. [1]

Strasbourg Oaths Mark Earliest Old French Text

The Strasbourg Oaths, mutual pledges between Louis the German and Charles the Bald, were recorded in a Romance vernacular that scholars recognize as the oldest surviving text in Old French.

Council of Tours Encourages Use of the “Rustic Romance”

The Council of Tours ordered sermons to be preached in the “rustica romana lingua,” acknowledging that ordinary people no longer understood Latin and paving the way for French as a distinct written language. [1]

Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts Makes French the Language of Law

King Francis I issued the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, requiring legal acts and judicial records in France to be written in French instead of Latin, cementing French as the kingdom’s administrative language. [1]

The Académie Française Is Founded to Standardize French

Cardinal Richelieu secures royal letters patent creating the Académie Française, tasked with fixing rules for grammar and usage and compiling an authoritative dictionary to regulate the French language. [1]

First Edition of the Académie Française Dictionary Appears

After decades of work, the Académie Française publishes the first edition of its Dictionnaire, a major step in codifying spelling, vocabulary, and norms for standard French across the kingdom. [1]

French Becomes Dominant Language of International Diplomacy

At the Congress of Berlin and other 19th‑century conferences, French was routinely adopted as the working language of treaties and negotiations, reinforcing its status as the principal language of diplomacy. [1]

Niamey Convention Founds the Francophone Agency

The signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger created the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, precursor to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, to promote the French language and cultural cooperation worldwide. [1]

FAQ

What’s the history behind French Language Day?

French Language Day began as an initiative by UNESCO in 2010 to celebrate the diversity of languages. It honors the French language’s contribution to culture, science, and diplomacy. UNESCO chose March 20 because it coincides with the International Day of La Francophonie, a day celebrating French-speaking communities worldwide. French is one of the most widely spoken languages across all continents, bridging cultures from Europe to Africa to the Caribbean.

How did French influence English words?

French has contributed thousands of words to English, dating back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. Words like “royal,” “court,” and “culinary” reflect this influence. About 30% of English words stem from French. French vocabulary reshaped English, especially in law, government, and the arts. Even common words like “beef” and “pork” trace back to French origins.

What unique ways do people celebrate French Language Day?

French Language Day celebrations vary widely. In Quebec, some schools hold “dictée” contests, challenging students to write down complex French phrases with perfect spelling and grammar. In Switzerland, language lovers organize poetry readings, where participants perform classic French poetry. Some African nations, where French is a major language, host theater festivals celebrating French-speaking playwrights.

What are some fun, lesser-known French idioms?

French has unique idioms that can seem funny when translated literally. For example, “appeler un chat un chat” means “call a cat a cat,” similar to “call a spade a spade” in English. Another favorite is “avoir le cafard,” which translates to “to have the cockroach,” meaning to feel blue. French also uses “poser un lapin” (“to put down a rabbit”) to mean standing someone up on a date.

Did you know French used to be England’s official language?

For nearly 300 years, French was the official language of England, following the Norman Conquest. It was used in English courts and by the ruling class. French influenced English legal and administrative terms, which is why many legal terms in English still sound very French, like “plaintiff” and “tort.”

Are there different types of French spoken around the world?

Yes! French varies by region, each with unique words and accents. Canadian French includes words borrowed from indigenous languages, while African French incorporates local dialects. In Louisiana, French evolved into Cajun French, with its own distinct flair. Each variety keeps the language dynamic and culturally relevant.

What’s a common myth about French being hard to learn?

One myth claims that French pronunciation is too complex for non-native speakers. While it has unique sounds like nasal vowels, French has straightforward grammar and predictable spelling rules. Many students find its structure more logical than English, and millions learn it successfully as a second language every year.

How do French words make everyday life sound more elegant?

Many English speakers adopt French terms to add flair, especially in cooking and fashion. Words like “à la carte” (menu choices), “haute couture” (high fashion), and “en route” (on the way) elevate conversations. Even basic French words, like “café,” “chef,” and “souvenir,” add a touch of sophistication to everyday English.

What are some popular French tongue twisters?

French tongue twisters, known as “virelangues,” offer a fun way to practice pronunciation. One classic is “Les chaussettes de l’archiduchesse sont-elles sèches? Archi-sèches.” It means “Are the archduchess’s socks dry? Super dry.” Another favorite is “Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu,” which translates to “If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved.”

What unique French words have no English equivalent?

French has words with specific meanings that don’t translate directly to English. “Dépaysement” describes the feeling of being out of place in a new environment. “Retrouvailles” refers to the joy of reuniting with someone after a long separation. “Flâner” captures the idea of strolling without a purpose, just for the pleasure of it.