In other words

Hannah Evans explores some of the regions of France where regional languages are still spoken and being preserved by local communities

- Hannah Evans

Being able to speak French can be of enormous help when you’ve bought a home and are trying to integrate within your new community – nobody expects immaculate pronunciation or perfect conjugations, but a little effort goes a long way.

But French isn’t the only language you should be aware of – there are upwards of 30 regional dialects and languages spoken around France, and some scholars recognise even more. While many of these languages are on the brink of extinction, only spoken by the older population in enclaves, others are more widely spoken, and are proudly preserved features of regional heritage.

Whether you have already mastered French and are ready for another challenge, or if you find the language tricky but want to immerse yourself in local culture and impress your new neighbours, learning about the language native to your favoured area of France can be fun and rewarding. Here’s a look at some of France’s most prominent unofficial languages, and how they feature in local cultures today.

BRETON

One of the languages you might be more familiar with is Breton, the regional language of the former kingdom and now region of Brittany, in the north-west of France. It is one of the six remaining Celtic languages, along with Irish, Welsh, Cornish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx, and it was introduced to the region, formerly known as Armorica, by British Celt migrants in the 5th and 6th centuries.