Map Out 12 French Dialects Worldwide

Explore regional varieties and dialects of the French language around the world. Learn the differences that make French dialects unique wherever you go.

Most French learners don’t dream of vocabulary lists and conjugation charts: They imagine learning how to speak French through conversation, cuisine, travel, and entertainment! France is a top choice to experience a Francophone country in person, but why stop there? 

While France is known for Paris and its standard Metropolitan French, it can be rewarding to learn and practice the many unique French dialects spoken across the world. Let this guide be a starting place for your dreams, whether you have a plane ticket yet or not.

What is a dialect of French? 

A dialect is a variety of a specific language (French, in this case) that is set apart by the unique ways that people of a specific region speak. Going beyond a different “accent,” which refers primarily to French pronunciation differences, dialects often vary in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and slang. Dialects can evolve based on geographic separation, proximity to other languages, or even social and cultural identity. 

In spite of the uniqueness of dialects, most French speakers share basic French words and phrases, so they can understand one another with relative ease.

How many French dialects are there? 

Ever wonder how many people speak French? Including those who speak French as an additional language, there are over 320 million French speakers globally. Time, distance, and the influence of other languages have contributed to dozens of French dialects, though linguists may disagree on the definition and number of dialects that exist. 

French is a truly international language used in business, politics, and even the Olympic Games. La Francophonie (French-speaking areas of the world) extends across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and several island nations and territories. Spin the globe and you’re not far from engaging with a French dialect. 

Commonly recognized French dialects include (but are not limited to): 

• Metropolitan French (considered “standard,” the main dialect spoken in Paris) 
• Meridional French (areas of France) 
• Marseillais 
• Belgian French
• Swiss French
• Aostan French (Italy)
• Québecois French (Canada)
• Acadian French (Canada and some parts of the US) 
• Standard Canadian French dialect
• Chiac (Acadian French and English combination) 
• Newfoundland French
• Ontario French (North and South) 
• Louisiana Cajun French 
• Missouri French
• New England French
• Haitian French (not to be confused with Haitian Creole) 
• Lebanese French
• Algerian French
• Abidjan/Ivorian French
• Kinshasa/Cambodian French
• Cambodian French
• Indian French
• Reunion French
• Lao French
• Vietnamese French

Because the line between a regional accent and a truly separate dialect is rather fuzzy, it would be impossible to list all of the varieties of French.

What is French-based Creole?

In addition to the French dialects and varieties listed above, there are French-based Creole languages, such as Haitian Creole, which is considered a separate language. Haitian Creole is distinct from Haitian French and not mutually intelligible with Metropolitan French. Other Creole languages include Antillean Creole, French Guianese Creole, and Seychellois Creole. 

French dialects of Europe

Because of the proximity to France, several variations of French are commonly spoken in Europe, where French is often an official or co-official language. 

Belgian French

According to a 2022 report by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Belgium is home to almost 9 million people who can speak and understand French, but it’s only the dominant language in certain areas. Other common languages here are Dutch (Flemish) or German, but in the southern Wallonia region and the capital, you’ll hear a distinctly Belgian French.

You’ll notice the influence of Dutch on the vocabulary, accents, and phrasing within this French dialect. 

• Vocabulary differences include using un essuie in place of une serviette (bath towel) or savoir (to know) instead of pouvoir (to be able to).
• Even counting in French is slightly different here. Instead of soixante-dix (70, literally “sixty ten”) and quatre-vingt-dix (90, literally “four twenty ten”), Belgian French speakers use septante (70) and nonante (90). 
• Vocabulary for meal times in standard French, petit-déjeuner (breakfast), déjeuner (lunch), and dîner (dinner), corresponds to Belgian French déjeuner (breakfast), dîner (dinner), and souper (supper).

Swiss French

French is one of the four official languages in Switzerland. As much as 67% of the population (Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, 2022) can speak French either as a first or additional language. 

• Like Belgian French, Swiss French speakers use septante (70) and nonante (90), and add huitante (80) for counting. 
• They also use déjeuner, dîner, and souper for meals. 

*Adieu is only said in Standard French as a farewell when you don’t expect to see the person again.

Marseillais

The city of Marseille in southern France lends its name to this dialect as well as to La Marseillaise, the French national anthem. 

• Marseillais is characterized by its fast rhythm and singsong quality.
• Speakers will pronounce the final, usually silent, “e” sound. 
• The nasal “in” at the end of the word sounds more like “ing,” and in some words, a “t” will sound more like “tch.” 

Meridional French 

This regional variety is historically influenced by L’Occitan (Occitan), a Romance language also known as Lange d’Oc (language of “Oc”). 

• Meridional French has a unique French past tense form called the passé surcomposé (the double composed past) used in speaking. 
• Speakers of this language variety will also use “the” (the definite article le, la, les, l’) instead of a possessive adjective “my/your” (mon, ma, mes).

Dialects in France

Historical events and the influence of other languages have developed a variety of dialects in France that go beyond what you’ll hear in Paris. 

• Alsace is close to Germany. The influence of German here results in fewer nasal vowels and more stress on the beginnings of words instead of the ends. 
• In Brittany, the Celtic language Breton has influenced French. Avec (with) can be used instead of “because of” and celui-là and celle-là can be common in place of il (he) and elle (she). 

French dialects of the Americas

One instantly thinks of Québec when considering the Canadian French dialect spoken in the Americas, but this is only one of several French language dialects in this part of the world. 

Québecois

You’ll be welcomed to Québec surrounded by the motto je me souviens (I remember), relating to the Quebecois people’s heritage and identity. The French language figures prominently in the culture and is required by law to be the common and predominant language in public life.

• Because of heavy English influence, anglicismes (words and phrases borrowed or influenced by English) are common, though they don’t necessarily correspond with the anglicismes used in France. 

• The informal tu (you) is used much more commonly than in France, where the formal vous (you) is expected more often. 
• Nasal vowels and differences in pronunciation also stand out in Québec. 
• This dialect has retained some vocabulary belonging to an older version of French as it was spoken before the age of exploration and colonization.

Acadian French

In some parts of Canada and other communities in the US, you’ll find a dialect that is a mix of older French and heavy English influence. The Acadians are an ethnic group descended from French speakers in the 17th and 18th centuries. 

• Within Acadian French are further varieties and accents such as Chiac and Brayon. 
• Instead of the -ent ending in the third-person plural, Acadian speakers may use -ont. 
• In addition, some speakers will trill the “r” sound like in Spanish instead of the “r” pronunciation of Standard French. 
• There is significant overlap between the expressions and vocabulary of the different varieties of Canadian French, including Québecois. 

Louisiana/Cajun French

Signs on local businesses in Louisiana proudly declare Ici on parle français (Here we speak French). Cajun French emerged as a distinct dialect due to the historical French colonization of the region. Over time, this dialect has been influenced by various languages and ethnicities, notably the Acadians (“Cajuns”). 

• A greatly simplified set of rules for conjugating verbs sets this dialect apart. 
• There is no requirement to use the subjunctive mood in informal Cajun French. 
• Speakers often employ simpler structures such as venir de + infinitive (to have just done something) and aller + infinitive (to be going to do something) to express past and future instead of other French verb tenses.
• Laissez les bon temps rouler !: “Let the good times roll!” is a very Louisiana French expression. 

Haitian French and Haitian Creole

A Creole language is formed by mixing two or more languages, maintaining aspects of both. Therefore, you can differentiate between the French spoken in Haiti and Haitian Creole, which is a mixture of French and West African languages. 

Though they have similar roots and many people may speak both, they are not mutually intelligible without specific study and effort. 

French dialects of Africa 

The lasting impact of French colonization in Africa includes the use of French and French language dialects throughout the continent. In fact, African nations comprise many of the full members of La Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (Francophonie International Organization). French is still the official or widely spoken language used in education, government, and media in many countries, including but not limited to: 

• Algeria
• Benin
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• Djibouti
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Morocco
• Niger
• Senegal
• Togo

Though French may be secondary to local languages for most of the population, Africa remains the continent with the most French speakers and French-speaking countries in the world. 

Ivorian/Abidjan French

As with many dialects, French is influenced by local languages and cultures. Though Standard French is the official language of Ivory Coast, the evolution of this dialect is also influenced by a desire to distinguish itself as a cultural and ethnic identity separate from France. 

• A colloquial dialect called Nouchi is evolving within youth and rap cultures and making its way into French in daily life.
• It is common to drop French articles like le/la/les (the) and the partitives du and de la (some). 
• Ivorian French observes more flexibility in word order.

Kinshasa French

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the largest francophone city in the world, with a population even larger than Paris. French is typically a second language for people living in Kinshasa, so they can conduct business and understand the media.

• Over time, the mixing of French and Lingala with the grammatical influence of local Congolese languages has led to this unique dialect. 
• Speakers may mix French grammatical genders since other local languages do not have the concept of masculine or feminine in their language. 
• French speakers in Kinshasa may speak at a slower pace and will pronounce certain consonants more clearly.

Explore French dialects in every region with Rosetta Stone

The variety of French dialects means there will always be something new to learn and explore, no matter how many adventures you check off your list. Whether your destination is in Africa, Asia, North or South America, the Caribbean, or French Polynesia, your French will take on a unique flavor. Most of the time, you’ll be able to apply your basic conversation skills,  like saying “Nice to meet you” in Standard French, without too much trouble. But stay curious and open to the nuances and vocabulary differences in the way French is spoken by the locals.

With Rosetta Stone, you can navigate common travel situations in any region with ease: The Phrasebook in the all-in-one app teaches you useful phrases related to dining out, getting around, health and safety, and more, so you’ll be prepared for any real-world encounter. Instead of merely memorizing lists of words, start making memories.

Recommended Story For You :

Online language courses designed by language lovers crafted for you.

Fun Online Spanish Group Classes

Unlock the Power of Synergy Spanish

Practical Hebrew- as a proven way to understand and speak Hebrew as quickly as possible.

English Made Easy: Practice Your Way to Fluency with Confidence and Fun

Listen and Speak English

Master the Arabic Alphabet in No Time!