The United Nations (UN) French Language Day is annually observed across the globe on 20 March to celebrate multilingualism, cultural diversity, and the equal recognition of the six official languages of the UN.
- The day is also acknowledged by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) as the International Day of La Francophonie or International Francophonie Day.
Note: “Francophonie” refers to the community of men and women who share French as a common language.
2025 Theme:
‘I educate myself, therefore I act’.
- The theme underscores the significance of ensuring equitable access to quality education for everyone, especially in a world shaped by rapid technological progress.
Why March 20?
i.The date commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, (ACCT)) on March 20, 1970, in Niamey, Niger.
- ACCT was the first institution of multilateral Francophonie.
- Canada was a founding member of ACCT.
ii.The ACCT became the Intergovernmental Agency of La Francophonie in 1998 and was later renamed the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in 2005.
Background of UN Language Days:
i.Announced by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) on February 21, 2010, in conjunction with International Mother Language Day, the initiative celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity.
ii.The UN observes six language days each year, each dedicated to one of its six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
iii.The dates for the six UN Language Days were chosen by the DPI for their symbolic or historical significance related to each language:
- Arabic Language Day: December 8.
- Chinese Language Day: April 20.
- English Language Day: April 23.
- Russian Language Day: June 6.
- Spanish Language Day: April 23.
- French Language Day: March 20.
French Language: Origins and Global Influence
Origins:
i.Traces back to Latin, introduced to Gaul (modern-day France and Belgium) by the Romans around 50 Before Common Era (BCE). Evolved into Vulgar Latin, forming early French dialects.
Standardization
The first French dictionary, Dictionnaire de l’Académie Française, was published by Académie Française in 1694.
Global Spread:
French colonial expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries spread the language worldwide, creating regional dialects and creoles.
Romance Language:
French is One of the 5 main Romance languages derived from Latin, alongside Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish.
French in the UN:
Recognized as one of the 6 official languages of the UN under UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 2 (I) on February 1, 1946.
- Alongside BCE, French is a working language of the UN.
Key Facts:
i.French is the official language of 29 countries and ranks as the second most learned language globally, following English.
ii.French ranks among the top five most studied languages in the world.
iii.Since 1896, French has been one of the official languages of the Olympic Games, alongside English.
About International Organization of La Francophonie:
Secretary General – Louise Mushikiwabo
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1970
