66 Global News Post 1
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[Screenshot from a YouTube video showing a child learning at an Occitan-French school] retrieved from https://globalvoices.org/2022/12/30/frances-institutional-fear-of-multilingualism-an-interview-with-language-activist-michel-feltin-palas/
Globally and institutionally French is recognized as the official language of France. Unknown to many, there are 20 unofficial regional languages practiced in France. This article follows an activist and language expert, Michel Feltin-Palas, and his explanation of why the French government is reluctant to make any of these 20 languages an official language of France.
This interview style article allows Feltin-Palas to express his emphasis on why inclusivity of these regional languages is beneficial. The French government in the past has made statements stating that adding, or even recognizing another official language is detrimental to the unity of France, and labels these cultures as folklore.
Feltin-Palas mentions that within each language there are often many dialects, some that cater more towards the official language, and some more towards French. Either way, they are all fighting towards the same cause, spreading their culture. Although the French government sees the inclusivity of minority cultures as against French tradition. Feltin-Palas argues against that throughout this article. He employs the use of real world examples of the successful Basque language, Euskara. The expansive education of Euskara and its practicality in the real world offered success to the language and those learning it. Occitan is one of these regional languages, and there is a push to have immersive education in Occitan and France. Feltin-Palas mentions that children who learn both happen to grasp both languages better than a child learning one. This would also mimic what happened with Euskara, by making the language more widespread and practical. However, France still rejects the idea.
Internationally, France would benefit from this expansion, even though they are hesitant. Not only would it add more depth to the country as a whole, it expands the likelihood of diversity into the global spectrum.